INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana’s HIV outbreak has generated more
concern about another potentially deadly infection – hepatitis C.
But an I-Team 8 investigation has found Indiana’s poorest patients
are being denied access to hepatitis C drugs that could potentially cure
them.
State Medicaid programs have restricted access to the drugs like
Sovaldi, Harvoni and Viekira. Instead of distributing the medications to
all those infected, states have set up restrictions that require
patients to have certain symptoms – including a fatty liver or liver
scarring – before they can get treatment.
It’s not just Indiana – 31 other states require patients to show
signs of liver scarring and have a specialty doctor prescribe the
medication, according to a June article in the Annals of Internal
Medicine.
Read more...Labels: access restrictions, Indiana