Is elimination of HCV realistic by 2030: France

The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a plan for the elimination of viral hepatitis with a goal of reducing new hepatitis infections by 30% and 90% in 2020 and 2030, and associated mortality by 10% and 65% respectively. Actions and targets to reach these goals include improving hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination programs, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV, improving the safety of blood products and injections, risk reduction policies and optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis. The goal of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030 is based on three main actions: increased screening, strengthening access to care and the prevention of infections and re-infections. But, can this goal be reached? The answer to this question is yes in some countries, perhaps in others and no in most countries. Success will be limited by a diagnosis burn-out with 5 times more new viral infections than diagnoses in 2016 and a treatment burn-out with cure rates that are 5 times lower than the number of new infections. Nevertheless, France, like 10 other countries, is on track to achieve the WHO elimination plan by 2030. In France, the prioritization of oral antivirals in 2013-2014 which was extended to high-risk populations in 2015 (HIV-infected patients) and 2016 (men who have sex with men, dialyzed or kidney transplant recipients), then in 2017 to universal treatment with full coverage by French national healthcare (10 to 15 000 treatments per year) has resulted in half of the 120 000 patients needed to be treated by 2022 have been treated. Renewed efforts should make it possible to reach the target announced by the French Minister of Health in May 2018 by 2025.

Automated summary

The WHO has proposed a plan to eliminate viral hepatitis by reducing new infections and associated mortality rates by 2030, with some countries making progress towards the goals but many facing challenges in achieving them.