Union government should rapidly put in place measures to control hepatitis B on similar lines that it tackled polio virus. The growing incidence of hepatitis or liver inflammation is seen as major public health concern as over a lakh patients are seen to succumb to the deadly disease, stated liver experts.

The big task for the government is to increase the coverage of the hepatitis immunization programme implemented under the National Health Mission just like what it did for polio eradication.

On the occasion of the World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28, has this year’s theme as ‘Say No To Ignorance’. “While it is equally important to dispel ignorance, it is important to create awareness about hepatitis B & C which are curable with early detection,” stated experts.

A big advantage for hepatitis cure in India is the drastic reduction of drug cost to half the price following the inclusion of these medicines in the  Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013. In fact, the booster shot to the patients is that prices have reduced from Rs.6,000 to Rs.3,000 per vial. The deadly health condition which can impact any strata of the population has been an expensive therapy protocol, Dr Ravindra BS, consultant Gastroenterology and Hepatology Therapeutic Endoscopy Specialist at the BGS Global Hospitals, told Pharmabiz.

Hepatitis is one of the most prevalent and serious infectious conditions in the world, but many people including health policy makers are unaware of its staggering toll not just on global but national and state health. Hepatitis B and C viruses are the cause liver cancer and liver transplants.

“There is a serious lack of awareness among the public that both Hepatitis B and C are curable with access to affordable drugs besides  availability of vaccines for Hepatitis B control,” pointed out Dr Ravindra.

“The rampant rise in the number of hepatitis cases are seen to be induced by excessive alcohol and fatty food consumption besides hectic lifestyles leading to drug abuse. Most of the antibiotics, pain killers are toxic and causes liver failure if it is indiscriminately prescribed. Therefore there is lot of onus on the doctor to caution on the patient on the liver toxicity reactions,” said Dr Satya Prakash, senior professor & head of the Department of Gastroenterology, M S Ramaiah Memorial Hospital.

Therefore the need to sensitize the patient is the big task on hand and ensure prevention of unsupervised drug therapy which could control hepatitis B, added Dr Prakash.