Pacific Hepatitis C Network

Katie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:08:06 +0000

PUBLIC INTERACTIVE FORUM
Friday, March 2, 2012, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
BEGBIE HALL, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC
Discussion of the Canadian Assn. for the Study of the Liver’s
2011 CANADIAN CONSENSUS GUIDELINES FOR
THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS
FREE ATTENDANCE, FREE LUNCH, LIMITED SEATING

For more information and to register, please go to:

http://www.hepcbc.ca/

CATIE HepCInfo Update

Katie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:15:48 +0000

Welcome to HepCInfo Update 3.1 for January 1 – 13, 2012. Read on to learn more about new and updated scientific findings in hepatitis C prevention, care, treatment and support.

New and newsworthy

France: Is more frequent monitoring for liver cancer among co-infected people needed?

One complication of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) is liver cancer, and researchers in France continue to study this cancer both in people with either HCV or HBV or HIV co-infection. Their most recent study suggests that liver cancer occurs earlier and is more severe in some co-infected people who are at high risk for liver cancer. If the findings are confirmed, increased liver monitoring of co-infected people at high risk for liver cancer may be necessary.

International liver cancer management guidelines suggest that people with cirrhosis (who are at high risk for liver cancer) should have ultrasound scans of their liver and have alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tests to help their doctors look for tumours. If another team confirms the French results, more frequent monitoring of HIV-HCV co-infected people at high risk for liver cancer may be important. For instance, the French team suggests that ultrasound scans and other tests could be done every three months. This shorter time span might allow technicians and doctors to detect liver cancer when it is at an early stage. (CATIE, January 2012, in English)

Crack pipe distribution pilot project in Vancouver

Through this pilot project, Vancouver Coastal Health will evaluate whether or not we can use distribution of crack kits as an effective way to engage people and help them access other health services including addiction treatment. This turned out to be one of the major benefits of Insite, the supervised injection site. At the street level, introduction of this pilot project will prevent the type of harms associated with makeshift crack pipes that are in use right now by people who can’t afford to buy a suitable pipe, which frequently explode, leading to cuts, burns, and infections. (Huffington Post, January 2012, in English)

Health authority weighs adding more supervised injection sites

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking at offering supervised injection services for people who inject heroin at several of its clinics. Health officials are talking to potential partners in the medical community about a new way to provide the harm-reduction service, Chief Medical Officer Patricia Daly said Monday in an interview. The health authority has no plans in place at this time, she said, but offering supervised injection services at several facilities is the direction the health authority wants to go. “We want to really normalize it, so it becomes just another one of the harm-reduction services that you can offer to this group,” she said. “We need to be able to provide services throughout the region, wherever injection drug users may live.” (Globe and Mail, January 2012, in English)

Researchers identify liver cancer risk factors

Two new studies from the Mayo Clinic in the United States find that hepatitis C infection and obesity could be to blame for an increase in liver cancer cases, which have tripled over the last 30 years. “The studies illuminate the importance of identifying people with risk factors in certain populations to help catch the disease in its early, treatable stages,” said W. Ray Kim, principal investigator of one study. Two decades ago, liver cancer tended to be caused by liver-scarring diseases such as cirrhosis from alcohol consumption. The researchers say their findings could help doctors diagnose the disease earlier and save lives. (Mayo Clinic News, January 2012, in English)

CDC reminder: Insulin pens are not for use on more than one person

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a reminder for healthcare providers–reusing insulin pens on multiple people places people at risk for hepatitis viruses and HIV. Insulin pens are designed to be used multiple times, for a single person, using a new needle for each injection. The CDC recommends clearly labeling insulin pens with the person’s name or other identifying information to ensure that the correct pen is used only with the correct individual. (CDC, January 2012, in English)

Straight to the source for new science

An integrated alcohol abuse and medical treatment model for patients with hepatitis C – Digestive Diseases and Sciences, December 2011, in English

Help-seeking and coping with the psychosocial burden of chronic hepatitis C: A qualitative study of patient, hepatologist, and counsellor perspectives – International Journal of Nursing Studies, January 2012, in English

Neurocognitive Effects of HIV, Hepatitis C, and Substance Use History – Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, January 2012, in English

HepCInfo Updates are also available to view online.

To subscribe and receive the Updates straight to your inbox, visit CATIE’s free subscription page.

Decisions about particular medical treatments should always be made in consultation with a qualified medical practitioner who is knowledgeable about HIV and hepatitis C-related illnesses and the treatments in question. More…

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Harm Reduction

Katie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:59:59 +0000

The following article appear recently in The Huffington Post, regarding the launch of a crack kit pilot study through Vancouver Coastal Health.

Read what a Medical Health Officer with VCH has to say about it.

AGM Details

Katie — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:22:37 +0000

Hopefully you have all now received your AGM packages through email or by regular mail. You may notice they are missing some important details – time and location of the AGM!
This year, the AGM will be held at the Compass Point Inn (9850 King George Boulevard, Surrey), and will begin at 6pm on Friday, January 20. Light snacks (veggies, fruit, etc.) will be provided, along with coffee and tea. The following link will take you the the Google Map page for this location:

We have been experiencing some technical difficulties. If you receive a second email from us with no information (a blank Pacific Hepatitis C Network template), please disregard it. We are working to find a solution to the problem, and apologize ahead of time of any inconvenience it may cause.
We look forward to seeing you at the AGM!

PHCN AGM Package

Katie — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:14:31 +0000

AGM packages are in the mail (or the e-mail!). If you are a member and haven’t received a package by January 3 at the latest (either through the mail or via e-mail), please be in contact with Katie at katie@pacifichepc.org.

Just a reminder that once you receive the package, if you are unable to attend the AGM, all voting ballots must be received by January 19th.

We look forward to seeing you all in January!

Ministry of Health – Progress Report

Katie — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:57:29 +0000

In 2007, the Ministry of Health released a strategic policy document entitled Healthy Pathways Forward: A Strategic Integrated Approach to Viral Hepatitis in BC. The current progress report summarizes steps that have been made to achieving the 4 goals outlined in the original document, and identifies new opportunities for action.

Healthy Pathways Forward Progress Report

BC Hepatology Nurse Leader’s Group Newsletter

Katie — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:58:41 +0000

December 2011 Newsletter

2011 Board of Directors Nomination Deadline: December 9th

Katie — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:40:38 +0000

The PHCN Board of Directors Nomination Deadline is fast approaching (December 9th) and we are very pleased to invite all members to consider boosting your commitment to the hepatitis C community by considering a term on your Pacific Hepatitis C Network Board of Directors.

PHCN Board Terms are for 2 years and a board member may opt to run again when their term is up. You must be a member in good standing with PHCN to either self nominate or nominate another person, who must also be a member in good standing with PHCN.

You will find the Nomination 2011 Information package and Nomination form below. Please read all material carefully, or have someone sit down with you and go through it all. After you have submitted the forms, we will be in touch with you to talk about these things:

the commitment involved (time, attending each meeting, work between meetings)
how we meet (teleconferences usually)
email and communication expectations
the role of the board and current focuses

Please be in touch with any questions you have about the nomination process and the AGM. Information about the AGM is available on our website.

Thank-you for your interest!

Sincerely,

Keith McDonald, President
Pacific Hepatitis C Network

Nominations 2011 Information Package

2011 Nominations Form

Save the Date: 2011 AGM – January 20, 2012 in Surrey, BC. Details to follow.

Katie — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:35:15 +0000

If you want to know more about being a Pacific Hepatitis C Board, please be in touch with Deb at deb@pacifichepc.org.

Patient Input to PHARMACARE into the review of Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) – SIGN UP NOW!

Admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:02:27 +0000

Boceprevir (VICTRELIS): Patient Input to PHARMACARE review of this important new drug for treating hepatitis C – SIGN UP NOW!

BC provides an opportunity for patients, caregivers AND patient groups to give input into the Drug Review process. This BC Pharmacare website provides a description of how to provide input through “YOUR VOICE”. http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/yourvoice/

From this website, you can fill in your e-mail to get automatically notified whenever a new drug has been listed for feedback under “YOUR VOICE”. For this option click on “subscription service”. Right now, Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) is listed on the web page and it indicates that “DATES ARE AVAILABLE SOON” for patients/caregivers and advocacy groups to input.

Go to the left hand side of the page and make your selection (i.e. “PATIENTS” OR “CAREGIVERS” OR “ADVOCACY GROUPS”). Note: “CAREGIVERS” does not include individuals that care for a group of people with a certain disease/condition, it only includes people who look after individual patients with the disease/condition, for instance family members or friends.

Once you choose one of the categories, (i.e. “PATIENTS”, another drop down menu appears entitled “DRUG REVIEW LIST”. Clicking on that takes you to the current product/s open for providing input. The questions that will be asked are specific to the product being reviewed. Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) will be listed for input soon.

Given that Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) was granted a PRIORITY REVIEW by BC Pharmacare, “YOUR VOICE” for this new drug will be open around November 7 for about a 3 weeks – this is the only chance to give any input about the need for this drug to be listed.

VICTRELIS Fact Sheet PDF