JONES INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO TREAT HEPATITIS C SOONER

(Queen’s Park) – Today, Sylvia Jones MPP Dufferin-Caledon introduced the Greater Access to Hepatitis C Treatment Act, which if passed, would ensure individuals with hepatitis C will receive greater access to highly effective treatments.

“Individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C cannot access new treatments that have a 95 per cent effectiveness rate in curing hepatitis C until they meet restrictive clinical criteria that demand an individual’s liver be halfway to cirrhosis,” Jones said.

Other provinces, such as Quebec, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick have begun the process of removing or loosening eligibility requirements for individuals to access publicly-funded treatment. “Unfortunately Ontario is lagging behind other provinces in helping bring an end to this viral disease,” Jones said.

“That is why I introduced the Greater Access to Hepatitis C Treatment Act. If passed, the Greater Access to Hepatitis C Treatment Act will ensure that treatment recommended by a physician is provided to the patient irrespective of the degree or amount of liver damage sustained by the patient,” Jones said.

“No longer will an individual have to wait and let their disease get worse before receiving treatment that can cure them,” Jones said. “My private member’s bill will ensure Ontario takes a leadership role in curing 110,000 Ontarians living with hepatitis C,” Jones said.

To read more about what Jones is doing in the Legislature please visit: www.sylviajonesmpp.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Christopher Dacunha
416-325-1898
sylvia.jonesla@pc.ola.org