By: Jonathan Nazari, PharmD
Although viral infections such as COVID-19 and now Monkey Pox have dominated the global conversation over the past two years, viral hepatitis still warrants our attention. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated July 28th as World Hepatitis Day: a day to raise awareness of the impact of hepatitis. Viral hepatitis, which is classified as type A, B, C, D, or E, is an acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the liver caused by a viral infection. Acute types of hepatitis infection (for example, type A and E) mostly cause mild disease, although there were 78,000 deaths reported in 2019 from acute cases of hepatitis. In contrast, types B, C, and D are chronic forms of hepatitis with greater morbidity and mortality, stemming from complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer that can develop from prolonged inflammation. According to the WHO, chronic hepatitis accounts for 95% of viral hepatitis mortality. Fortunately, there are curative treatments available for hepatitis C and effective options and preventive vaccinations for hepatitis B. While newer treatments are extremely effective (up to 96–99%) at eradicating the hepatitis C virus, high costs may limit widespread and equitable access to such treatments.
The WHO has maintained an ambitious goal of hepatitis elimination by 2030. One of the modes of achieving such a goal is to integrate hepatitis care within primary health care, increasing access to treatment. In fact, this is the theme that WHO has chosen to highlight for World Hepatitis Day 2022. The WHO highlights four specific targets to achieve hepatitis elimination by 2030:
- Reduce new infections of hepatitis B and C by 90%;
- Reduce hepatitis-related deaths from liver cirrhosis and cancer by 65%;
- Ensure that at least 90% of people with hepatitis B and C virus are diagnosed; and
- At least 80% of those eligible receive appropriate treatment.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in making progress towards this last target; as medication experts, pharmacists are an integral part of the care team, encouraging or providing vaccination against hepatitis A and B, and ensuring appropriate treatments for chronic hepatitis B and C. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is particularly important in the context of global public health. According to Pharmacy Times, vaccination of children led to a reduction of hepatitis A infection in children by 95% from 1999–2011. As accessible healthcare providers in the community, pharmacists can also play important roles in educating patients about the transmission of viral hepatitis and the steps patients can take to prevent infection. Ultimately, it will take a concerted global effort to eradicate these diseases, with healthcare providers like pharmacists playing an important role in ensuring access to appropriate prevention strategies and treatments.
REFERENCES:
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacists-can-identify-prevent-and-treat-viral-hepatitis
