Background: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood-borne infection and the leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States. There are approximately 3.2 million people currently infected with HCV in the United States. In late 2013, the introduction of sofosbuvir and simeprevir represented a critical advancement in the treatment of HCV by improving sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate medication utilization and clinical outcomes of patients with HCV who were treated with any Food and Drug Administration-approved combination of ribavirin, peginterferon products, simeprevir, and sofosbuvir. Methods: Prescription records and clinical assessment forms of patients who started HCV therapy and were eligible for SVR between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, were retrospectively reviewed. Data collection included patient demographics, genotype, SVR, patient-reported adverse events, discontinuations, and adherence markers. Results: A total of 367 eligible patients were identified who had initiated treatment during the study period. Genotype 1 was the most common genotype, and an overall SVR rate of 86.9% was observed. Results were similar to those seen in phase III clinical trials. In addition, adverse events of these medications were more tolerable, and discontinuation rates were lower than with previous therapies.
The Prescribers’ Dilemma: Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection for Medicaid Insured Patients in United States
