Hep C “Wonder Drug” Cures Thousands in Britain

Hepatitis C patients in Britain have to fear no more as a wonder drug is now available that will rid them of the virus completely.

There have been products before to suppress the symptoms, but now Victrelis has the potential to clear the virus for those with genotype 1, the most common form of the virus, after one-third of study subjects were cured. The pill is set to help half of the British sufferers, those with genotype 1, equaling around 100,000 people. Not too shabby.

After curing 1,000 patients in trials, the drug was fast-tracked to be released as soon as possible and is available starting today. “Victrelis is the first licensed drug to directly target the virus. It offers improved outcomes and new hope for those in whom previous treatment has been unsuccessful,” says Doctor Ashley Brown, a consultant hepatologist.

Known as “the silent epidemic,” thousands carry the virus for decades without realization that they are infected. It can take decades for symptoms to arrive, and at that point there can already be liver damage. So, those who get tested for STIs and find that Hep C is waging war on their livers have the ability to rid themselves of the virus ASAP, before it has a chance to any real damage. How cool.

This is just one step at curing all STIs. Before we know it, HIV could be a thing of the past. But, for now, having Hep C under control feels like a huge victory against these ruthless viruses. Congrats, Britain!

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