BWI: Better Understanding of Diagnosis Facilitates the Rollout of Novel Treatments Options in the Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in India, Finds Frost & Sullivan

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Frost & Sullivan
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 02:14 PM IST (08:44 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Business services, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical; Healthcare
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Better Understanding of Diagnosis Facilitates the Rollout of Novel Treatments Options in the Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in India, Finds Frost & Sullivan


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, July 21, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- Ongoing efforts to raise disease awareness in India have both increased the number of diagnosed cases and expanded the base of patients available for the treatment of Hepatitis C. The prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was 1.2 percent of the population in 2009. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.6 percent from 13,770,000 persons with HCV in 2009 to 15,420,000 persons with HCV in 2016.

Increasing population and high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have contributed to growing prevalence in the country. Greater clarity of diagnosis has facilitated the introduction of new treatment options.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharma.frost.com), Multi-client Study: Opportunities Assessment for Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in India, finds that the market for Hepatitis C therapies is likely to increase manifold by 2017 with increasing awareness, better diagnosis, affordable pricing, and newer drug launches.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides a brief synopsis of the research and a table of contents, then send an e-mail to Anish Charles/ Nimisha Iyer, Corporate Communications, at anishc@frost.com/ niyer@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, a brochure will be sent to you by e-mail.

"The diagnosed patient base is expected to expand in the future with the gradual build-up in awareness, the number of Hepatitis C carriers, and access to urban healthcare facilities due to the improving rural economy and road infrastructure connecting rural areas with the nearest urban locations," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Supratim Majumdar. "The number of diagnosed patients has been on the rise since 2006 following mandatory screening and increasing detection facility in urban areas."

Although screening has been enhanced, only 9 percent of diagnosed patients are placed under treatment. The high cost of therapy coupled with numerous side effects results in treatment not being extended to a larger patient pool. The often-debilitating side effects, frequent dosing, and lackluster efficacy of current HCV treatments have resulted in lack of compliance and have spurred the exploration of more effective treatments.

Therapy for chronic Hepatitis C is currently limited to pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin. While this combination can effectively clear the infection in some patients, it has limited efficacy in patients with genotype 1, who comprise 20 percent of HCV patients in India. The side effects of this treatment include lowered blood platelet count, depression, and hemolytic anemia.

The low success rate of interferon, along with side effects, results in patients either avoiding or withdrawing from treatment. The combination of these factors represent missed treatment opportunities and thus, market share.

Public and private campaigns have been launched in India to ramp up disease awareness. However, more concerted efforts are required. Greater information outreach will enable patients to understand the treatment processes better and be more receptive toward those. The role of the government is minimal in raising the awareness level of public about Hepatitis C. The key opinion leaders (KOLs) and physicians involved in the treatment of Hepatitis C have emphasized that the government should take a more proactive role in educating the public on Hepatitis C.

"Companies on their part must offer treatment options that expedite efficiency, have fewer side effects and are cost efficient," says Majumdar. "They must ensure that patients are aware of their disease status and compliant to treatment."

Encouraging patients to remain compliant and providing incentives to stay on HCV treatment will increase the likelihood of future compliance, especially for improved treatments. Refined versions of current HCV drugs, oral formulations of small molecule inhibitors, and the new drug class known as protease inhibitors are in the development pipeline and represent the future of HCV treatment. New treatment options must be launched to capture this growing market.

Multi-client Study: Opportunities Assessment for Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in India is part of the Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C Market in Taiwan, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Philippines, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Indonesia, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Singapore, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Australia, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Thailand, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Hong Kong, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in China, Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Korea, and Opportunities Assessment of Hepatitis C in Malaysia. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.

Multi-client Study: Opportunities Assessment for Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in India
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CONTACT DETAILS
Anish Charles, Corporate Communications - South Asia, Frost & Sullivan, +91 (22) 40013419, anishc@frost.com
Tanu Chopra, Corporate Communications - Middle East, Frost & Sullivan, +91 (22) 40013437, tanu.chopra@frost.com
Nimisha Iyer, Corporate Communications - South Asia and Middle East, Frost & Sullivan, +91 9820050519, niyer@frost.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, BUSINESS SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, HEALTHCARE

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