The Hep B calculator: an online tool for cost-effectiveness analyses of treatment

WHO estimates that in 2015, 257 million people globally were living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which results in approximately 800 000 deaths per year. 1 In 2016, 27 million (10·5%) of the 257 million individuals living with HBV infection had been diagnosed. Of the individuals diagnosed, 4·5 million (17%) were on treatment. 2 The WHO treatment guidelines for HBV recommend nucleos(t)ides with a high barrier to resistance as first-line therapy (tenofovir or entecavir, one pill a day) for patients with HBV infection who are eligible for treatment. 3 Although not curative, continued suppressive therapy prevents disease progression and greatly reduces the risk of costly disease complications from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Generic medicine costs are currently as low as US$30 for a year of treatment. 2 Generic tenofovir and entecavir are available in most countries. 2 Country-specific cost-effectiveness analyses can help elucidate how disease outcomes and associated costs are affected by investment in HBV treatment efforts and boost treatment uptake.