They killed less than Covid-19 but as many as tuberculosis. Viral hepatitis caused 1.3 million deaths worldwide in 2022, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) published Tuesday April 9 during a summit in Lisbon devoted to these diseases. The UN agency is alarmed by an increase in mortality since 2019, when there were 1.1 million deaths. Hepatitis B alone is responsible for 87% of these deaths, and hepatitis C for 13%. Over the same period, however, the number of new contaminations fell from 2.5 million to 2.2 million.
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver that can be caused by viruses of five different types. Hepatitis B and C are susceptible to chronic forms that can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. They are transmitted from mother to child at birth, or through blood, particularly in the event of poor sterilization of medical equipment or drug use by injection. Hepatitis B is also transmitted through saliva and sexual intercourse.
According to the WHO, 254 million people were living with hepatitis B in 2022. Of these, only 13% were diagnosed and barely 3% received antiviral treatment. Africa accounted for 63% of new cases. Concerning hepatitis C, it affected 50 million people that year, of whom 36% received a diagnosis and 20% received treatment. Among rich countries, the United States, in particular, is recording an increase in hepatitis C among drug users.
Significant price differences
A vaccine is available against hepatitis B, but not against hepatitis C. Hepatitis B patients can be treated with tenofovir or entecavir, and those affected by hepatitis C may be prescribed sofosbuvir and daclatasvir.
However, according to the WHO, few countries purchase treatments – including those which are not under patent – at “benchmark” prices, that is to say the prices established following negotiations between suppliers of generics and large healthcare access structures such as the Clinton Health Access Initiative or the Hepatitis Fund.
Thus, out of twenty-six countries having provided data to the WHO, only seven pay for tenofovir (against hepatitis B) at a price equal to or lower than the reference price of 2.40 dollars (2.21 euros) per month. Reported prices range from $1.22 in China to $34.20 in Russia.
Regarding sofosbuvir-daclatasvir treatment (against hepatitis C), only four countries out of twenty-four that provided data pay for it at a rate equivalent to or lower than the reference price of $60 for twelve weeks. The rates for basic treatment range from $33 in Pakistan to $10,000 in China.
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