Authors' recommendations: Hepatitis C is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. The virus is present in the blood of people with the infection, and this can infect others that come into contact with it. The virus is most commonly passed on by needles contaminated with infected blood, but it is also spread occasionally through unprotected sex. Most people with hepatitis C will have it for many years and they may or may not have symptoms. If the virus is untreated, it can lead to serious liver disease, such as liver cirrhosis and cancer. Sofosbuvir, GS-9857 and velpatasvir is a new combination of drugs that is taken by mouth as a single tablet to treat hepatitis C infection. Some studies have suggested that this combination drug can clear the body of the virus at least as well as treatment already available and in a shorter time. It may also be helpful for people whose infection has not been cured by current treatments. More studies are trying to show that the drug is safe to use. If sofosbuvir, GS-9857 and velpatasvir fixed dose combination is licensed for use in the UK, it could be a new treatment option for people with hepatitis C virus, regardless of whether they have already received treatment.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/sofosbuvir-gs-9857-and-velpatasvir-triple-therapy-for-chronic-hepatitis-c/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)