HEPC treatment.

This is a personal story, mostly of gratitude and somewhat a rant.

I have HEPC. I've know this for 15 years. Yes, I did drugs in the late 60s. It was a stupid thing to do. I have lived the last 15 years wondering when it was going to kill me. I have to say it hasn't affected my lifestyle much, if at all. It's hard to tell whats just getting old vs. the HCV.

Some of you may be aware of the recent breakthroughs in treatment. A new drug Solvadi, is very successful. It has a 90 percent cure rate. When used with other drugs it goes up to 95 percent.

The problem is the drug is very expensive. $1,000 per pill. The treatment is 12 weeks, so 84 pills. $84,000. There is a lot of profit in this. The actual 'cost' is lower.

I am very lucky. I am in a drug trial. The drug maker pays for everything and even pays me for doctor visits. Their purpose is data gathering. It's not a clinical trial so there are no placebo groups. Everyone gets the drugs.

There are 400 people in this trial and 20 in my local group. After 4 weeks I am virus free and my liver is normal. Of course the next question is, will it come back when I quit the drug. I will find out in the next few months.

Now the rant. I just saw a news report when someone was complaining about the cost and the consistent question, who pays? He didn't think he should have to pay to save drug addicts, etc.

If this fellow has a heart attack, can I review his eating habits and exercising routine before treatment?

I would bet that bad behavior is a significant cause of medical treatment. From poor health to auto accidents.
All this just highlights the need for a single payer system in the USA. Who care these people who think THEY get to decide who gets medical treatment?

Obviously, I have a new found respect for drug companies.