Hepatitis C New Zealand

Here are the comparison figures for Hepatitis C patient treatment numbers in New Zealand 2007 2010.

* The 2007 figures come from New Zealand Ministry of Health Stock take of Existing Services May 2007 May 2008

* The Christchurch (2007) figures come from a official information request to Canterbury DHB

* The 2010 figures come from a reply to a official information act  request from Hon Tony Ryall NZ Minister of Health Feb 2010

(note the 2010 figures received were for 11 months I have added a estimated monthly figure for December 2010 to bring figures up to a year for comparison purposes).

Numbers treated for Hepatitis C in New Zealand overall increased during the period 2007 – 2010

Numbers treated for Hepatitis C in New Zealand overall increased from 408 in 2007 to 616 in 2010.

One reason for the increase may be the 2009  Pharmac funding of treatment for genotype 2 & 3 patients who according to Prof Ed Gane make up 40 to 45 per cent of NZ hep c patients. Previously these patients were not eligible for funded treatment and were under treated in some DHB regions, such as Otago.

There is a noticeable increase in numbers treated in some regions.

And a decline in some regions such as Auckland.

If you’re a hepatitis C patient access to treatment has improved especially if you have genotype 2 or 3 , or live in one of the regions with substantial  improvement in treatment numbers,  such as Taranaki  from 3 patients in 2007 to 23 in 2010

best of health

www.hcv.org.nz