The hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to pose a significant public health risk, affecting millions worldwide with at least 59,000 infected in Washington State. May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and the urgency to test, treat, and cure Washingtonians of the deadliest blood borne disease in the country remains a top priority for the Health Care Authority (HCA) and partners.
A directive signed by Governor Inslee in 2018 set the goal of eliminating hepatitis C in the state by 2030. The directive instructed HCA to “establish a comprehensive procurement strategy for the purchase of HCV medications.”
In 2019, HCA contracted with AbbVie who manufactures MAVYRET®, a drug that can cure hepatitis C in 8 weeks for most patients, to bring expanded access to hepatitis C treatment to Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. The contract is a modified subscription model which includes a discounted price for the drug and a treatment goal that, once met, minimizes the cost of the drug to the state. Apple Health recently reached a milestone treatment goal, dramatically reducing the price of MAVYRET®, saving lives and allowing the state to invest more on other critical services. HCA can now provide the life-saving drug at a negligible cost to the state for the rest of fiscal year 2024.
“Early testing and treatment for hepatitis C are imperative. Many patients with HCV remain undiagnosed because symptoms may not be present until decades after infection,” said Jatinder Kaur, Senior Scientific Director, Medical Affairs, AbbVie. “AbbVie is committed to working with the Washington State Health Care Authority to reduce stigma around HCV and address this significant public health threat.”
The effort to eliminate hepatitis C takes place across all sectors of the health care system. Health and human services state agency partners, tribal governments, state hospitals, behavioral health clinics, and others are crucial in the fight against hepatitis C. Reaching this milestone treatment goal is a sign to continue our coordinated strategy and to maintain the focus on HCV elimination.
To promote Hepatitis Awareness Month in May, HCA has launched a public health advertisement campaign across the state. Billboards, transit advertisements, and banners at convenience stores urging people to get tested and treated for hepatitis C will be on display throughout the spring and summer.