The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has launched a public consultation on a draft health technology assessment (HTA) of offering one-time testing for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) to people in Ireland born between 1965 and 1985.

HIQA undertook the HTA following the publication of the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee’s National Clinical Guideline for Hepatitis C Screening. The National Clinical Guideline, endorsed by the Minister for Health in 2017, conditionally recommended offering birth cohort testing subject to the outcome of a full HTA.
From reviewing the evidence, HIQA has found that the diagnostic tests used to detect chronic HCV are highly sensitive and specific. The currently available treatments are safe and very effective. Based on an Irish-specific economic analysis, HIQA has found that offering one-time testing to people born between 1965 and 1985 represents a cost-effective use of resources. However, the short-term budget impact and organisational implications of implementing birth cohort testing would be significant, particularly in terms of primary care and laboratory capacity.

The project was supported by an expert advisory group with representation from patient representatives, clinicians with relevant expertise, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and methodology experts.