MO HealthNet Strives to Cure Missourians of Hepatitis C - Awards Treatment Contract to AbbVie
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Today, the Missouri Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division (MHD) announced they have awarded a three-year contract to AbbVie, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, to partner on MHDs Project HepCure.
“Hepatitis C elimination is achievable, and we are proud to continue our partnership with the state of Missouri to help support patients with HCV and raise awareness of this significant public health issue,” said Jatinder Kaur, Senior Scientific Director, Medical Affairs, AbbVie. “It’s critical for industry, government and the public health community to work together to reach these patients and highlight the importance of early testing and treatment.”
Project HepCure is an initiative dedicated to eliminating the hepatitis C virus by making prescription MAVYRET®, manufactured by AbbVie, available to anyone enrolled in MO HealthNet (Medicaid) at no cost. MAVYRET® is a prescription medication with a 98 percent cure rate.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver and spreads through contact with blood from someone with the virus. Over half of those who have the virus suffer long-term, life-threatening health problems like cirrhosis (liver scarring) and liver cancer. It is possible to have hepatitis C and not experience symptoms. People with hepatitis C are often undiagnosed because they remain without symptoms until decades after infection, when symptoms occur due to advanced liver disease.
Chanel Epps, DHSS Viral Hepatitis Director said, “All adults age 18 years and older should be tested at least once in their lifetime. If you are pregnant, you should be tested during every pregnancy. You should especially consider testing if you have an increased risk of getting hepatitis C due to any of the following:
- Born between 1945-1965 (“Baby Boomer”)
- Received a blood infusion before 1992
- Lived or had sexual contact with someone with hepatitis c
- Have sexually transmitted infections or multiple sexual contacts
- History of IV drug use or sharing drug equipment
- History of incarceration
- Have a “home” tattoo or piercing
Testing can be performed through a simple finger stick at any local county health department, primary care provider, or clinic."
As of April 1, 2024, 27,344 MO HealthNet participants have been diagnosed with hepatitis C; however, only 6,606 have received treatment.
“MO HealthNet’s Project Hep Cure has made accessing treatment for most of my patients so easy,” said KC Care Health Center’s Associate Medical Director, Blair Thedinger, MD.
“It is crucial for our MO HealthNet providers to prioritize testing for all patients aged 18 and older and for MO HealthNet participants to talk with their healthcare provider about undergoing a simple test that could potentially save their lives,” said MHD Pharmacy Director, Joshua Moore, PharmD. “Through continued testing and treatment we can cure Missourians infected with hepatitis C and reduce the burden of this chronic disease.”
To learn more about Project Hep Cure visit: dss.mo.gov/mhd/hepc.
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