New York: Use of the generic versions of directly-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs that are available in India to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can increase lifespan while reducing lifetime health care costs, says a study. Compared with no DAA treatment, use of the generic drugs in HCV-infected Indian patients would increase life expectancy by more than eight years while reducing lifetime health care costs by more than $1,300 (Rs. 116,442) per person, said the study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

“Our hypothesis was that treatment would be cost saving, given the low drug costs in India. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the full payback was achieved so soon after treatment,” said Chhatwal, who also serves as Assistant Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School. [Full story]