Access to direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C in a country with limited resources

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the number of patients that have access to treatment of hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals in Argentina and evaluate the factors associated with the lack of access.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted that included all the consecutive prescriptions of direct-acting antivirals issued at health centers that participated in the ECHOTM telemedicine project directed by the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, within the time frame of January 2016 and February 2017.

Results: A total of 143 treatment prescriptions were included and overall access was 70% (95% CI 62-77%). The only independent factor associated with a lack of treatment access was coverage by a public healthcare system (OR 4.98 [95% CI 2.05- 12.09]).

Conclusion: Patients with hepatitis C that were covered by a public healthcare system had a 4 times higher chance of not having access to treatment with direct-acting antivirals than patients covered by other healthcare systems (private insurance or the social welfare system).

Keywords: Acceso; Access; Antivirales de acción directa; Barreras; Barriers; Direct-acting antiviral agents; Healthcare systems; HepatitisC; Sistemas de salud.