The ongoing efforts to raise disease awareness in India have both increased the number of diagnosed cases and expanded the base of patients available for the treatment of Hepatitis C. The prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was 1.2 per cent of the population in 2009. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.6 per cent from 13,770,000 persons with HCV in 2009 to 15,420,000 persons with HCV in 2016.

Increasing population and high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have contributed to growing prevalence in the country. Greater clarity of diagnosis has facilitated the introduction of new treatment options.

A new analysis from Frost & Sullivan “Multi-client Study: Opportunities Assessment for Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in India”, finds that the market for Hepatitis C therapies is likely to increase manifold by 2017 with increasing awareness, better diagnosis, affordable pricing, and newer drug launches.

“The diagnosed patient base is expected to expand in the future with the gradual build-up in awareness, the number of Hepatitis C carriers, and access to urban healthcare facilities due to the improving rural economy and road infrastructure connecting rural areas with the nearest urban locations,” says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Supratim Majumdar. “The number of diagnosed patients has been on the rise since 2006 following mandatory screening and increasing detection facility in urban areas.”

Although screening has been enhanced, only nine percent of diagnosed patients are placed under treatment. The high cost of therapy coupled with numerous side effects results in treatment not being extended to a larger patient pool. The often-debilitating side effects, frequent dosing, and lackluster efficacy of current HCV treatments have resulted in lack of compliance and have spurred the exploration of more effective treatments.

Therapy for chronic Hepatitis C is currently limited to pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin. While this combination can effectively clear the infection in some patients, it has limited efficacy in patients with genotype 1, who comprise 20 per cent of HCV patients in India. The side effects of this treatment include lowered blood platelet count, depression, and hemolytic anemia.

The low success rate of interferon, along with side effects, results in patients either avoiding or withdrawing from treatment. The combination of these factors represent missed treatment opportunities and thus, market share.

Public and private campaigns have been launched in India to ramp up disease awareness. However, more concerted efforts are required. Greater information outreach will enable patients to understand the treatment processes better and be more receptive toward those. The role of the government is minimal in raising the awareness level of public about Hepatitis C. The key opinion leaders (KOLs) and physicians involved in the treatment of Hepatitis C have emphasized that the government should take a more proactive role in educating the public on Hepatitis C.

“Companies on their part must offer treatment options that expedite efficiency, have fewer side effects and are cost efficient,” says Majumdar. “They must ensure that patients are aware of their disease status and compliant to treatment.”

Encouraging patients to remain compliant and providing incentives to stay on HCV treatment will increase the likelihood of future compliance, especially for improved treatments. Refined versions of current HCV drugs, oral formulations of small molecule inhibitors, and the new drug class known as protease inhibitors are in the development pipeline and represent the future of HCV treatment. New treatment options must be launched to capture this growing market.

The multi-client study is part of the Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C Market in Taiwan, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Philippines, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Indonesia, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Singapore, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Australia, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Thailand, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Hong Kong, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in China, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Korea, and Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Malaysia. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.