Medical experts claim that Hepatitis C could be eliminated from Ireland by 2030.
The virus, which is nowadays carried mainly through injected drug use, is being discussed at an Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) conference in Dublin.
Hepatitis C is estimated to affect between 20- 30,000 people in Ireland.
Assistant Director of the ICGP Substance Misuse Programme, Dr Des Crowley, says new treatments have raised the possibility of eliminating it:
“New medications called directing-acting antivirals have revolutionised HCV treatment in the past four years,” he said.
“Over the past 18 months, treatment has moved from a primarily hospital-based setting to the community. This conference explores ways to engage hard-to-reach groups and how expanding the prescriber base to include GPs will help to optimise care.”