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NHS England

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Hepatitis C Trust reacts to new data on hepatitis C in England

England has surpassed the World Health Organization's benchmark of treating 80% of all known hepatitis C cases and is on track to become one of the first countries to eliminate the virus, with deaths falling 36% over the past decade.

England has surpassed the World Health Organization's benchmark of treating 80% of all known hepatitis C cases and is on track to become one of the first countries to eliminate the virus, with deaths falling 36% over the past decade.

More than 100,000 people in England have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C since 2015, following the rollout of antiviral drugs made available through a 2019 NHS deal with pharmaceutical companies Gilead Sciences, MSD and AbbVie.

More than 100,000 people in England have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C since 2015, following the rollout of antiviral drugs made available through a 2019 NHS deal with pharmaceutical companies Gilead Sciences, MSD and AbbVie.

Treatment for hepatitis C involves a free course of antiviral tablets taken over 8 to 12 weeks, which cures more than 95% of cases. Effective treatment is also estimated to reduce the number of people needing liver transplants by 80% over the next decade.

Treatment for hepatitis C involves a free course of antiviral tablets taken over 8 to 12 weeks, which cures more than 95% of cases. Effective treatment is also estimated to reduce the number of people needing liver transplants by 80% over the next decade.

Around 50,200 adults were living with hepatitis C in England as of 2024, while an estimated 84.6% of those with the virus have been diagnosed — just short of the 90% WHO target. A separate WHO goal of reducing hepatitis C mortality by 65% since 2015 has also not yet been met.

Around 50,200 adults were living with hepatitis C in England as of 2024, while an estimated 84.6% of those with the virus have been diagnosed — just short of the 90% WHO target. A separate WHO goal of reducing hepatitis C mortality by 65% since 2015 has also not yet been met.

NHS England has expanded testing through A&E blood tests, GP registration screening and a free home-testing portal, the latter of which has operated for more than three years and found 1,900 previously undiagnosed cases since 2022.

NHS England has expanded testing through A&E blood tests, GP registration screening and a free home-testing portal, the latter of which has operated for more than three years and found 1,900 previously undiagnosed cases since 2022.

The Hepatitis C Trust's CEO Rachel Halford said England is "on the cusp" of a major public health achievement, stressing that "continued commitment and long-term investment are essential" to sustain progress, particularly for marginalised communities facing barriers to health care.

The Hepatitis C Trust's CEO Rachel Halford said England is "on the cusp" of a major public health achievement, stressing that "continued commitment and long-term investment are essential" to sustain progress, particularly for marginalised communities facing barriers to health care.

England Near Eliminating Hepatitis C, Deaths Drop 36%

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