Need of righteous attitudes towards eradication of hepatitis C virus infection in Latin America.
Over the last few years, we have expanded our knowledge on numerous facets of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Beginning with its discovery and viral life cycle, its impact on health, the development of liver disease and currently, effective antiviral treatments. The latter point has become of great interest throughout the developed world, where the possible eradication of HCV through specific strategies to reach all HCV-infected people has been announced. However, this scenario is very different in the countries of Latin America (LA), in which < 2% of infected patients requiring treatment have access to HCV medications. It has been estimated that at least ten million Latin Americans may be infected with HCV. Despite the numbers, viral hepatitis does not seem to be considered a health problem in this region of the world. This reality poses a challenge for politicians and governments of these countries, as well as to the pharmaceutical industry, the medical practitioners, and academics in LA. In this editorial, we state the need for alterations in the attitudes of the integral players involved in this situation. A recognition shift could help to create preventive strategies of viral hepatitis and to advocate for accessibility to new HCV treatments.
['Panduro|Arturo|A|', 'Roman|Sonia|S|']
D000998:Antiviral Agents D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel D003299:Cooperative Behavior D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated D004345:Drug Industry D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D016174:Hepacivirus D006526:Hepatitis C D006801:Humans D007373:Interinstitutional Relations D007843:Latin America D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' D011634:Public Health D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships
Antiviral agents Drug industry Low-income Medical societies Public health