Amsterdam, 28 July 2023 - Today is World Hepatitis Day. On this day we raise awareness of the impact and long-term effects of viral hepatitis. Besides causing acute inflammation and illness, chronic hepatitis infection increases the risk of developing liver cancer. Cancer-causing infections, such as hepatitis and human papillomavirus (HPV) account for approximately 30% of cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Lifestyle appears to be a risk factor for developing liver cancer and as alcohol-induced hepatitis is on the rise in LMICs, it emphasises the importance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle (WHO, 2022).

Hepatitis related cancers

Worldwide, the most common risk factor for liver cancer is chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). These infections lead to cirrhosis of the liver, where formed scar tissue prevents the liver from functioning properly. People with cirrhosis have an increased risk of developing liver cancer, one of the top ten prevalent cancers in the world, especially among men in LMICs (WHO, 2022).

Our portfolio

Over the years we have been expanding and shaping our product portfolio, to best serve the needs of people in LMICs. We have a variety of products that contribute to the elimination of viral hepatitis and its long-term effects. Besides diagnostics for hepatitis A, B and C, we also sell regular medicines and medical supplies needed for the prevention and treatment of patients suffering from severe hepatitis. Due to increased demand for supplies for vaccination programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have expanded our vaccination and immunisation product range in 2021. This allows us to supply all the needs for large scale hepatitis immunisation programmes, including a variety of needles, syringes and safety boxes to safely dispose used needles. Since early 2021, we offer a wide range of branded oncology treatments, through which millions more patients will now have the potential to access innovative chemotherapy medicines for multiple types of cancer such as liver cancer as a result of hepatitis infection.

For more information about our oncology range, visit our Oncology page. In case you want to read more about IDA’s approach to hepatitis, please visit our Hepatitis page or reach out to your sales representative. For more information and global data on hepatitis, visit the World Health Organization.