NHS England has approved an £18.7 million investment in a new drug for the treatment of hepatitis C. Around 500 patients with acute liver failure, and/or awaiting liver transplantation, are expected to benefit from the decision to fund Sofosbuvir.
Current estimates indicate that around 30% of people infected with chronic hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis of the liver which, in some cases, may prove fatal without a liver transplant. The recommendation of NHS England’s Clinical Priorities Advisory Group (CPAG) means that, while not yet NICEapproved, Sofosbuvir will be funded for those patients at significant risk of mortality or who require transplantation.
