NEW DELHI– A new study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology warns that life-saving drugs for hepatitis B are severely underutilized worldwide, and early treatment could drastically reduce death rates and liver-related complications from the virus.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) currently claims over 3,000 lives each day—more than two every minute. Among individuals who do not clear the infection and develop chronic HBV, 20 to 40 percent are at risk of dying without treatment.
Despite the high fatality rate, researchers emphasized that only about 3 percent of those infected with HBV are currently receiving treatment. This is especially alarming given that the available drugs, while not curative, are considered safe, effective, and affordable.
“These medications are good drugs that are being badly underused,” said Dr. John Tavis, Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “If we get people on medication earlier, the net disease and death rate is going to be much less.”
The study highlights the benefits of early intervention, noting that timely treatment slows disease progression and reduces the cumulative liver damage sustained over decades of chronic infection—ultimately preventing liver cancer and liver failure.
Researchers also pointed out the often-overlooked emotional and social burden of hepatitis B. “The most common way the infection is passed along is from a mother with HBV to her infant,” said Dr. Tavis. “Most mothers don’t even know they have the infection. The stress of learning that you passed along a deadly illness to your baby is unimaginable.”
Although HBV is not transmitted through casual contact, stigma persists, further isolating patients within their communities.
Dr. Tavis added, “We know these drugs could reduce the incidence of liver cancer by two-thirds, or possibly even three-quarters. That’s a big impact—saving millions of lives over time.”
The findings call for global health agencies and policymakers to improve early screening, increase access to antiviral treatment, and work toward broader public awareness to combat the HBV crisis more effectively. (Source: IANS)
