The Global Hepatitis Report 2024 has highlighted significant disparities in the prices of hepatitis C medicine across countries, with Nigeria offering the lowest reported price for the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (SOF/DAC) fixed-dose combination.
At just US$60 for a 12-week course of treatment, Nigeria’s price stands out compared to other countries with a high burden of the disease.
While Nigeria provides affordable access to hepatitis C medicine, other nations, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, pay as much as US$1050 for the same treatment, demonstrating the wide variation in pricing.
Despite the global benchmark price of US$60 for the 12-week course, only a few countries, including Nigeria, paid prices at or below this benchmark.
The report emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable access to affordable hepatitis C medicine, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of the disease is significant.
However, the findings indicate that many countries still must procure medicines at benchmark prices.
In Nigeria, efforts to address hepatitis C extend beyond medicine pricing to include vaccination programs and public health initiatives.
Despite challenges such as low vaccine coverage and limited access to healthcare facilities, Nigeria has adopted a public health approach to address hepatitis B and C, integrating vaccination into routine immunization schedules.
However, the report underscores the need for improved access to treatment and preventive measures, especially in primary healthcare settings where healthcare delivery remains limited.
While medicines such as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for hepatitis B treatment are available at benchmark prices, coverage and access vary across countries, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address gaps in healthcare delivery.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), achieving global targets will not only save lives but also reduce the incidence of hepatitis C and associated complications, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and beyond.
