What has NICE said?
Ledipasvir–sofosbuvir (Harvoni) is recommended as a possible treatment for adults with some types (called genotypes) of chronic hepatitis C. See tables 1 and 2.
Table 1 If your hepatitis C has not been treated before
|
Type of hepatitis C |
Ledipasvir–sofosbuvir treatment recommended by NICE |
|
1, without cirrhosis |
8 weeks' treatment |
|
1 or 4, with cirrhosis |
12 weeks' treatment |
Table 2 If your hepatitis C has been treated before, but has not responded well enough
|
Type of hepatitis C |
Ledipasvir–sofosbuvir treatment recommended by NICE |
|
1 or 4, without cirrhosis |
12 weeks' treatment |
|
1 or 4, with cirrhosis |
12 weeks' treatment, only if the person has a low risk of the disease getting worse |
What does this mean for me?
If you have genotype 1 or 4 chronic hepatitis C that fits the criteria in tables 1 or 2, and your healthcare team think that ledipasvir–sofosbuvir is the right treatment, you should be able to have the treatment on the NHS.
The treatment should be available on the NHS within 3 months of the guidance being issued.
If you are not eligible for treatment as described above, you should be able to continue taking ledipasvir–sofosbuvir until you and your healthcare team decide it is the right time to stop.