Descriptive evaluation of the section 8 process for interferon treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C in Ontario.
Published: 2006
Language: eng
Number of pages: 100
ISBN-13: 9780494211915
Description: Background. Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is a significant cause of morbidity in Ontario. In 1996-1997, the only treatment available was interferon, an expensive, inefficacious therapy with significant side effects. Publicly funded interferon therapy was available through an individualized process requiring review of applications by expert hepatologists.Results. Reviewers approved 83% of 370 applicants during the study period. Kappa statistic for agreement with guidelines was 0.225. Only 22% of approved patients appeared to complete therapy. 56% of drug costs were paid for incomplete therapy.Conclusions. Reviewers adopt an overly permissive stance toward approval of interferon for HCV patients.Research questions. Do reviewers' approvals of therapy agree with clinical practice guidelines in effect during 1996-1997? What proportion of approved patients finishes prescribed therapy? What are the costs associated with successful and unsuccessful therapy?Methods. Descriptive analysis of clinical and administrative databases of the Ontario Drug Benefit Program.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-03, page: 1447.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2006.

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