Cost-effective treatment of genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C.

The authors have stated that pegylated (peg)-interferon therapy is cost-effective as compared to conventional interferon therapy. Clinical studies including this one show that the conventional interferon therapy is quite effective and efficacious for the treatment of genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C patients and the side effects are nearly the same with both treatments. The number of patients treated in the present study is too small to make valid statistical conclusion, required in evidence based clinical trials. The cost of 6 months duration treatment with conventional interferon is Rs. 15,000 while that of peg interferon is over Rs. 100,000 approximately. In addition, there are expenses of laboratories tests and management of complication etc. About 40% population of Pakistan lives below poverty line meaning lower strata. Even the Armed Forces cannot afford peginterferon therapy for their patients suffering from Geno-3 Chronic Hepaptitis C as the cost adds up to hundreds of millions of Rupees. The conventional interferon therapy provides satisfactory results and is far more cost effective as the outcomes of treatment and prices of interferons shows in a significant number of patients. Likewise, civil healthcare facilities barring few exceptions can afford only the conventional interferon therapy which provides satisfactory outcomes. Affordability is important consideration even for the welldeveloped wealthy nations, it is much more important for the poor countries surviving on aids and loans.