Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that includes five different viral strains, referred to by letters from A through E. Of the five, hepatitis B, C and D can develop into long-term infection, or chronic hepatitis. This can lead to serious and life-threatening diseases such as liver failure or liver cancer. Hepatitis B and C account for 1.3 million deaths per year – more than HIV/AIDS, or TB, or malaria (WHO, 2022).

One of the most common transmission routes of hepatitis B is from mother to child during delivery. Hepatitis B infection in infancy is the most likely to become chronic and this is a major cause of death among young children. The diagnosis of hepatitis B in pregnant women can contribute significantly to the eradication of hepatitis. IDA Foundation offers diagnostic tests for hepatitis B. 

Besides diagnostic tests for hepatitis B, IDA Foundation also offers regular medicines, such as pain relief (NSAIDs), chlorphenamine, metoclopramide and acyclovir, and medical supplies needed for the treatment of patients suffering from severe hepatitis. There is no treatment for hepatitis A or E, but the infection normally resolves itself after a few months. An effective vaccine exists for hepatitis A and B, and acute hepatitis B often clears on its own. Treatment for chronic hepatitis B can take 24 to 48 months and is not always effective.

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.