New Zealand Having Difficulties for HCV/Hepatitis C Treatment Costs

n 1981, Christchurch man Craig Hopkins was 18 years of age and did not mull over getting a mate to do a tattoo on every arm.

Christchurch man Craig Hopkins contracted Hepatitis C infection (HCV) from a "terrace" tattoo he got in 1981.



Christchurch man Craig Hopkins contracted Hepatitis C infection (HCV) from a "terrace" tattoo he got in 1981.

Over three decades on, Hopkins' "lawn" tattoos are no more indications of his childhood however of a harming blood infection that has wreaked ruin on his body and life over the previous decade.

A liver transplant in October 2011 gave him another chance at life however the Hepatitis C infection (HCV) was still in his framework and inside of a month was assaulting the new liver.

A couple of months after the fact, the steel-cutter and father of three was hanging on by a thread.

"They let me know I would just have an additional two weeks [to live]."

In 2012, Hopkins' specialist, Professor Ed Gane, of the University of Auckland, had the capacity get to another medication, Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) from pharmaceutical organization Gilead Sciences on humane grounds.

After only two weeks of treatment, Hopkins was free of the infection.

Presently Hepatitis C free, the 52-year-old is calling for Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) to be made accessible in New Zealand.