Sask. woman pays $23K for drug to cure hepatitis C

How much would you pay to be disease-free?

A Saskatchewan woman spent $23,000 of her own money fora drug called Harvoni. It treatshepatitis C, a disease that can lead to liver cancer and liver failure.

"Leigh" had been living with hepatitis C for years, but was unaware she had been infected.CBC has agreed to protect the woman'sidentity as she doesn't want her community to know about her illness.

"I personally wanted it over with as quickly as possible, the best way possible."-Leigh

She was diagnosed with hepatitis C after a routineblood test last year. The diagnosistook her by surprise because she says she had no symptoms and felt quite healthy.Leigh says she hasnever done drugs or had a tattoo, but she did have ablood transfusion in the 1980s.

Harvoni was added to the provincial drugformularyin April 2015, butLeigh didn't qualify to receive provincial coverage because she was still relatively healthy. The drugwas not covered by herprivate insurance so she paid for it herself.

"I personally wanted it over with as quickly as possible, the best way possible."Leigh said.

Leightook the pills for eight weeks and says there were no noticeable side-effects. She is now free of hepatitis C.

Clinical trials starting soon

Dr. Alex Wong says some people may soon be able to get drugs similar to Harvonifree of charge. Wong is aninfectious diseases specialist with the ReginaQu'AppelleHealth Region.He will berunning clinical trials in Regina this December.

Between five to eightpatients will be chosen to receive atreatmentof two pills once a day, for eightweeks.Medications will be providedby the drugcompany.

People who are interested in applyingcan ask theirprimary-care physician to send a referral to the Infectious Disease Clinic at theRegina General Hospital.

Baby boomers urged to get tested

Both Leigh and Dr. Wong encouragepeople between the ages of 40-70 to be tested at least once for hepatitis C.

According to the Canadian Liver Foundation, approximately250,000 Canadians have hepatitis C, but many don't know it.Hepatitis C numbers are particularlyhigh in Saskatchewan due to the prevalence of intravenous drug use.