A high level meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal to address the growing threat of Hepatitis Delta. Representatives of the leading Chinese pharmaceutical company Huahui Health (China) participated in the meeting.
The meeting reviewed in detail the rapidly increasing burden of Hepatitis Delta virus in Pakistan and the measures being taken for its effective treatment. The Chinese company briefed participants on the progress of its advanced research based Hepatitis Delta therapy HH-003, which has recently completed successful Phase II international clinical trials and has received approval in China based on its safety and effectiveness. The American Food and Drug Administration has also granted this treatment Breakthrough Therapy designation.
It was agreed in the meeting that the government will promote partnerships between Huahui Health and leading Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to encourage local manufacturing of advanced biological medicines and facilitate technology transfer.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that Hepatitis Delta is becoming a serious medical challenge in Pakistan. He explained that Hepatitis Delta is a unique and dangerous virus that affects the liver and causes disease only when a patient is already infected with Hepatitis B. Given the large number of Hepatitis B patients in Pakistan, Hepatitis Delta has also emerged as a major public health concern, requiring an effective strategy, timely diagnosis and integrated treatment.
He further stated that estimates suggest more than one million people across the country may be affected by Hepatitis Delta, and if not diagnosed and treated in time, the disease can lead to liver cancer. According to available data, nearly 20 percent of Hepatitis B patients in Pakistan may also be infected with Hepatitis Delta, but due to the lack of routine diagnostic testing, a large number of patients remain undiagnosed.
Mustafa Kamal emphasized that the government is taking coordinated steps to ensure the affordable and sustainable availability of this medicine, adding that timely access to safe, high quality and life saving modern medicines for the people of Pakistan is a top priority. He also stated that DRAP will ensure a transparent, science based approval process in line with international standards.
All participants agreed to expedite the regulatory process for Phase III clinical trials in Pakistan so that, under strict oversight and global standards, this advanced treatment can reach deserving patients as soon as possible.
