Japan Considers Extending Aid Program To Hepatitis B Patients
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Japan is considering two hepatitis patient aid bills proposed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and by opposition parties. The opposition party's bill calls for the government to expand the current interferon treatment aid program, which mainly targets hepatitis C patients, to include hepatitis B patients, who are mostly being treated with antiviral drugs. The opposition party's bill says some hepatitis B patients were infected during group vaccinations where needles were shared. The government should bear the responsibility and extend support, proponents argue. There are estimated 1.1-1.4 million hepatitis B patients in Japan. (Click here for more - Japanese language