25 Years From Discovery To Cure: The Hepatitis C Story | Nezam Afdhal | TEDxOxford

The discovery of the hepatitis C virus in 1989 and 25 years of has led to new treatments that can now cure almost all patients with hepatitis C and have the ability to reach almost 200 million people globally. Dr. Afdhal discusses how discovery of the virus lead to understanding the global epidemiology and modes of spread of hepatitis C and the recognition that it was the commonest cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer and need for liver transplantation. The development of model systems to look at viral replication led to treatments initially with injectable interferon with low cure rates and poor patient tolerability to new all oral direct acting anti-viral agents which can cure patients with a simple, safe and effective 8 – 12 week treatment. Finally Dr. Afdhal discusses how these treatments have changed the discussion in the US on the cost of new medications and the ongoing plans to bring these expensive treatments to developing countries with high hepatitis C burden.

Nezam H. Afdhal, MD, is a Senior Physician at the Liver Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Afdhal received his MD degree in 1981 from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and did fellowship training at University College Dublin and at Boston University School of Medicine. He is the Chief Medical Officer of Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Afdhal’s clinical expertise focuses on the management of the complications of liver disease, including cirrhosis and portal hypertension. His research has been on liver fibrosis, hepatitis B and C where he has led national and international teams on the treatment and cure of HCV and HBV. He is currently working on issues of global access and education for HCV in the developing world.

[ilovefredreika]

God bless these scientists. Their dedication saves lives.

[Stellaher]

I am from Ohio USA I am here to thank Dr. Obaedo for his good works I have been diagnosed with hepatitis for 5 years and I have been taking all kind of treatment until I came across Dr.Obaedo on YouTube who made me smile again thank you Dr for your greatness....

[StevenKHarrison]

I have Hep C. I was only recently diagnosed and I am told that it is in a passive state. No one can say how long I have had it, but I would guess many years. Tomorrow I will go to a clinic in Vienna, Austria and, if approved, I will begin the treatment. My house Physician told me that the treatment would cost about 50 thousand Euros. That is a hell of a lot of money and I could never afford to pay for it. BUT, I live in Austria and we have one of the best national health plans in the world. I will pay nothing. This is awesome! Science is amazing! THANK YOU TO ALL THE DOCTORS, RESEARCHERS AND CHEMISTS THAT HAVE MADE THIS POSSIBLE! And Thank you to the Austrian Health Insurance system!

[paulinesuggitt]

This is for me one of the best videos offering background information, overall picture of the amazing struggle to discover the new Hep C drugs. Fascinating and taught me so much when I was diagnosed 10 years after blood transfusion and was overwhelmed by fear and ignorance.
I have almost completed my treatment with already phenomenal results but am left with advanced cirrhosis of the liver. God Bless all those who have suffered this illness and I salute the pioneers in research. But the financial cost.... !!!

[bolivianbillionaire]

no apologies for the tens of thousands of lives destroyed by interferon...thousands of at yourself. been in the trough of greedy big pharma kick-backs for too long

[chaosandisorder]

I had hep C' I started 4 months of treatment at the end of 2019, I am so grateful for the medication & the support I got from the amazing liver nurses.I was homeless and still iv'ing drugs and they showed love & empathy.
I am now part of a solution, volunteering with a hepatitis c organization, the whole recovery process was a catalyst for change in my life.
I am eternally grateful

[brownbridget]

God bless you for your professionalism and contributions towards my health Dr Obaz, i tested negative for hepatitis B, I'm grateful🙌🙌

[anahilson]

I no longer feel pains and I wake up each morning feeling revived, thanks Dr Ayomede for the great herbal supplement that helped me sort out the hpv from my body system permanently

[wellbodisalone]

Their dedication has saved thousands of lives.

[kateparadis]

Glad I’m in Canada, my treatment was free

[inesdejesus]

Thank you so much doctor
May God bless you continually

[uniquechannelnames]

Why is everyone thanking dr.Igudia and Dr. Ayomeda when the presenter on the video here is Dr. Afdhal??

[bosestephen]

Thank you so much Dr. Umoru on YouTube you really helped me out with my hepatitis b issues I am now totally free.

[lawrenceessien]

You have my maximum respect Dr Igudia, I am now negative from Hepatitis B Virus after I did the test, I wonder what might have become of me it I didn't get the herbal cure From your YouTube channel. God bless you sir.

[miracleokon]

Finally cured completely God almighty bless *Dr Omoh* you're a life saver., ,

[uniquechannelnames]

I'm forever indebted to you Dr. Afdhal and to all the doctors/researchers/nurses who focused part of their career on this and patients who donated time and consented to drig studies in the name of a cure, everyone who contributed to this work and to this true wonder cure, and thanks to my government for negotiating with those greedy pharma companies so they could give this treatment fully covered to their citizens. They figured it out so we didn't have to go bankrupt ourselves getting cured.

And if none of this had happened I'd probably be close or in the middle of liver cancer/liver failure... IOW dying, in my early 30s.

You may not have official accolades but you have my eternal respect and admiration, along with the appreciation and love of every cured patient around the world. Thank you medicine for giving me a second chance at life.

[lawrenceessien]

You have my maximum respect Dr Igudia, I am now negative from Hepatitis B Infection after I did the test, I wonder what might have become of me it I didn't get the herbal cure From your YouTube channel. God bless you sir.

[tennysonmathew]

Who else is here after the announcement of Nobel prize? ^-^

[linussamuel]

My heart just keeps thanking you and thanking you Dr Igudia for all you have done for me, you gave me your words that you could heal any sickness or disease, thank you for permanently curing me of my Hepatitis B you are amazing

[chibuikenwanyanwa]

I thought my body would never be the same again, but you fixed it. My heartiest gratitude to you Dr Igudia for helping me cure my Hepatitis B successfully.