Possible socioeconomic effect of the introduction of innovative treatment technology for chronic hepatitis C in Russia

Objective. To study the role of antiviral therapy (AVT) for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), which includes innovative direct-acting antiviral agents for controlling the spread of this disease in Russia. Materials and methods. A mathematical imitation model allowing for scenary estimations of the incidence and death of CHC during different AVT options was created to assess its projected epidemiological burden of CHC. To estimate the economic effects of the introduction of innovative treatment technology for CHC, the calculated reduction of the epidemiological burden was transferred into monetary terms, by using the value of economic burden per patient during the respective years of a relevant year. Results. The introduction of the new treatment regimen for patients with CHC, which envisages that AVT coverage should be increased up to the WHO recommended level for countries with limited possibilities (3.8%) and that innovative drugs, the cost of which is not higher than that of currently used agents, should be used, will be able to treat additional 7600 patients in 2016-2030 due to the economic effect obtained. An increase in the coverage for patients to that recommended for the European Region (48.6%) under the same conditions will be able to treat additional 31000 patients due to the economic effect. Conclusion. The introduction of the new treatment regimen envisaging the considerably increased ATV coverage for patients and the use of innovative drugs may be appropriate from both the economic, social, and humanitarian standpoints.

chronic hepatitis C, economic effect, innovative technology, antiviral therapy