July 28, 2010

Opportunities for the hepatitis C therapeutics market in Australia

28 July 2010

Spirited efforts in Australia to raise awareness of hepatitis C have increased the number of diagnosed cases and expanded the base of patients available for treatment, thus enabling the introduction of novel treatments in this market sector, says a new multi-client report from Frost & Sullivan.

Physicians expect the rate of diagnosis to continue rising in Australia due to heightening of awareness among general practitioners regarding screening and treatment for hepatitis C. Screening of patients in Australia, especially among illicit drug users, has resulted in a spike in the number of diagnosed cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2009, an estimated 77% of patients-at-risk with hepatitis C were diagnosed, notes F&S, and this figure is expected to reach up to 87% by 2016.

New anti-virals set to come to market

Higher efficacy and safety are the most preferred drug attributes. Physicians expect new oral anti-virals (boceprevir and telaprivir) and interferon with improved safety (albuferon) to be launched by 2013 in Australia. According to physicians, prevalence had increased rapidly in the early 2000s, but the rate had declined over the years and the pace is likely to slacken in the future owing to a major disruption to the supply of heroin in Australia in 2001.

"The Australian government has unleashed Initiatives to address the Hepatitis C virus in the country, allocating $14.3 million (A$17 million) for hepatitis C education and prevention over the 2007-2011 period," notes an F&S analyst, adding: "State and territory governments also have substantial budgets for hepatitis C prevention and education."

The priority action areas identified as part of the National Hepatitis C Strategy are prevention, education; diagnosis, treatment, surveillance; and research. The government is avidly addressing health care workforce development as well as issues surrounding discrimination and stigma.

Only 3% of diagnosed patients pursuing treatment

Although there is a high diagnosis rate in Australia, only a paltry 3% of diagnosed patients pursue treatment owing to a lack of patient understanding about treatment options. According to physicians, one of the main reasons for such a large proportion of diagnosed patients left untreated is that they are predominantly from disadvantaged groups such as illicit drug users, aboriginal people, those serving prison sentences, and some migrant groups, which do not have access to conventional healthcare.

Often the reason is real or perceived stigma and discrimination. Aside from this, there is a great deal of angst about debilitating side effects, frequent dosing, and lackluster efficacy of the existing HCV treatments, especially for those afflicted with genotype 1. Moreover, there is a belief that a liver biopsy is required to receive treatment, which deters patients from undergoing treatment.

To circumvent the challenges clouding the market landscape, companies must offer treatment options that expedite efficiency, have fewer side effects and are cost efficient, states F&S. Patients should be made aware of their disease status and encouraged to remain compliant. "As more improvements are required to educate at-risk patients, public and private organizations - including pharmaceutical companies - must up the ante to spread awareness," notes the analyst, stressing that "greater information outreach will help patients obtain the right mode of treatment and, ultimately, stem the onslaught of the hepatitis C virus in Australia."

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