Gilead Sciences has announced the extension of its strategic procurement agreement between the National HCV Elimination Team, the NHS England Commercial Medicines Team and pharmaceutical partners to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025.
Since 2019, Gilead and NHS England have collaborated with industry to help treat and cure over 84,000 people living with the blood-borne virus.
Estimated to affect around 62,600 people in England, hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver and can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure if left untreated.
From 2015 to 2022, the number of people living with the chronic infection has reduced by 51.6% in the general adult population in England due to improved testing and better access to treatment.
In addition, the number of hepatitis C-related deaths from end-stage liver disease or liver cancer decreased by 34%.
Since its commencement, this partnership has “[transformed] healthcare for communities that face barriers to treatment” and has “successfully [cured] thousands of people of hepatitis C,” said Rachel Halford, chief executive officer, The Hepatitis C Trust.
The two-year extension could lead to England being one of the first countries worldwide to have eliminated hepatitis C ahead of the World Health Organization’s 2030 target.
Gilead will continue to work with drug treatment services and prisons and will support key roles, including regional coordinators and data analysts.
Furthermore, the Gilead Drug Treatment Services HCV Provider Forum will bring the sector together to eliminate hepatitis C.
Julian Cole, country medical director, Gilead UK and Ireland, commented: “Through close collaboration… we are advancing health equity and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or situation, can receive the treatment they deserve.
“The extension of this initiative with NHS England is a critical part of our leadership in liver disease and demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively to achieve [the] elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.”
NHS national medical director, professor Stephen Powis, commented: “An extension of our landmark commercial deal is helping us reach those most at risk as we begin our final push to wipe out the virus and find and cure any remaining cases” and urges people to get checked.