Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is a systemic infection affecting predominantly the liver and causing its inflammation. It may be acute (recent infection, relatively rapid onset) or chronic. ^[1]

Viral hepatitis is caused by infection with one of the five known hepatotropic viruses –

• Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) 
• Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)

Infection with HBV, HCV, or HDV may present as acute hepatitis sometimes. However, these viruses have the potential to cause persistent infection in a subset of those infected. Such infection may be associated with ongoing liver damage, which may progress to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer and can become life-threatening. ^[1]

Prevalence in India

About 30% of the disease burden due to viral hepatitis is in the WHO South-East Asia Region, with an estimated 100 million and 30 million people infected with HBV and HCV, respectively. ^[1]

India has an estimated 40 million chronic HBV infected people, constituting approximately 11% of the estimated global burden. The population prevalence of chronic HBV infection in India is around 3-4 %. Chronic HBV infections account for 40-50% of HCC and 10-20% of cases of cirrhosis in India. ^[1]

The estimated prevalence of HCV infection in India is about 0.5–1.5%. India with its large population accounts for a significant proportion of the global HCV burden. Approximately 12–18 million people are thought to be infected with HCV in India. ^[2]

Mylan, being the leader in the hepatitis treatment market, has always played a key role in fulfilling the commitment to make India a hepatitis-free nation. With the aim to scale -up our reach and simplifying treatment at mass level, Mylan introduced 3Cs of Hepatitis Management (Create Awareness, Confirm the Disease and, Cure Hepatitis).

3Cs in Hepatitis Management provides a 360-degree ecosystem by Mylan for hepatitis infected patients –

First C of 3Cs highlight the importance of CREATING awareness of the disease. The various channels used for the execution of the same are awareness lectures, street plays, awareness rallies, etc.

As part of creating awareness, Hepbeat.com was introduce in 15 prominent languages of India to increase awareness at large scale digitally.

Second C of 3Cs highlight the importance of CONFIRMING disease. Partnership with various vendors used for execution of the same are screening programs, diagnostic services, etc. Mylan has been able to screen more than 5 lakhs individuals for Hepatitis B and C in 5000 screening camps approximately till date and has offered support for diagnostic services to more than 20,000 patients every year.

Third C of 3Cs highlight the role of CURING disease. Mylan offers access complete range of hepatitis B and C product portfolio with high accessibility and availability in India. To ensure high adherence of treatment, Mylan continue to provide counseling for patients. Additionally, HepBeat.com also helps in contributing later stage supporting adherence to the therapy with improved disease know-how.

HepBeat.com was launched to strengthen the patient awareness program digitally. The platform offers patient information in 14 major languages – English, Hindi, Marathi, Bangla, Odia, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Urdu, Malayalam, Mizo, and Gujarati.

It offers multiple advantages to patients–

Therapeutic benefits –

• Patient-centric care by addressing the frequently asked questions
• Ease of understanding with the content available in key regional languages
• Enhance adherence to medication and treatments thereby increasing patient compliance

Technical Benefits –

• Simplified technology and hence access to information on the go
• Available to access information on all platforms – Android, IOS
• Available for scanning via QR code through digital payment platforms – Amazon Pay, Paytm

Hepbeat.com has won the “India Pharma Awards 2021” under the category of "EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT OUTREACH” by pharma industry experts. This achievement is truly inspiring and strengthens our vision to work harder in making India a Hepatitis free nation.