Hepatitis

Department of Health written question – answered at on 20 December 2017.

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Photo of Jon Ashworth Jon Ashworth Shadow Secretary of State for Health

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to NHS England's press release of 28 July 2016 entitled World Hepatitis Day: a chance to reflect on achievements to date and redouble efforts, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on developing more innovative, longer-term proposals for the treatment of hepatitis C.

Photo of Steve Brine Steve Brine The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

Following a procurement process that concluded in September 2017, NHS England has secured further improvements in pricing of hepatitis C treatments, including through an innovative ‘pay per cure’ approach. NHS England’s detailed work to design an innovative, longer-term approach to hepatitis C treatment procurement has continued and it is anticipated that this will be shared with suppliers early in 2018.

NHS England spent in excess of £200 million on direct acting antivirals for hepatitis C in 2016-17 and is funding access to new hepatitis C treatments in accordance with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, apportioned to local Operational Delivery Networks based on estimated local health needs.

NHS England is planning a sustainable roll out of treatment which will complete the treatment of 71,000 individuals between 2015/16 and 2020/21.

Commercial and contractual activity undertaken by NHS England is already securing reduced prices to allow expanded treatment rates within available resources.

Various initiatives are underway in England to improve awareness and case finding, re-engagement and linkage to care, especially in drug services, primary care, prisons and accident and emergency centres recognising the challenges inherent in a pathway where there are multiple commissioners and providers and budgetary constraints.

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