From the community: McAuliffe Looks to Keep Hepatitis C Taskforce Working: Veteran Lawmaker Sees More Work Ahead for Productive Group

Springfield, IL … State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) is looking to keep the important work of the Illinois Hepatitis C Task Force rolling by extending the groups charter as set by the Illinois General Assembly as established in May of 2013.

"Many times, task forces here in Springfield just don't take off or gain any traction," said McAuliffe. "In this case, the interest and productivity of this group has exceeded all expectations. We met consistently and produced a number of solid legislative recommendations which is why I feel it's important to keep it going."

The group, which first met in February of 2014, has met consistently on a bi-monthly basis and has produced a multitude legislative initiatives aimed at curbing the growing issue of Hepatitis C in our veteran and senior communities. The group has also hosted Hepatitis C Day at the State Capitol which provides informational displays and brings leading medical experts and free screenings to our State's capitol.

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An Overview of HCV Transmission and Prevention

This fact sheet will include transmission routes and how to prevent
the transmission of hepatitis C.

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An Overview of the Liver

The liver is the largest internal organ. It is reddish-brown, weighs approximately three pounds (in the adult male) and is about the size of a football. It is located behind the ribcage on the upper right side of the abdomen. The liver has the unique ability to regenerate its own tissue—as much as three-quarters of the liver can be lost, and the organ can grow back or expand to its original size within several weeks. This allows people who need transplants to receive part of a living or deceased donor's liver.

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Updates: Herbal Supplement Crackdown—GNC Reforms, by Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief

In the February 2015 Mid-Monthly Advocate issue, I wrote about the New York State Attorney General’s Office crackdown on four major chains (GNC, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens).  The stores were selling herbal supplements that contained very little of the stated ingredients listed on the labels and that included contaminants.  The testing occurred in the brand named stores throughout New York State.  

Good news—GNC Holding announced that it had restocked some of the herbal supplements to their stores in New York after they reached an agreement with the New York Attorney General and complied and corrected the problems.  Furthermore, GNC agreed that they would adopt testing standards in the 6,000 stores nationwide that would exceed requirements that the Food and Drug Administration requires—this is a first for a major herbal supplement chain in the United States. 
Additionally, GNC committed to the following best practices: 

• Authentication: Within 18 months GNC will implement DNA barcoding to confirm the plant's authenticity.
• Broad Testing for Contaminants:  GNC will test for the eight most common allergens before and after production.
• Consumer transparency:  GNC will prominently display signs in their stores and on their website with relevant information about the herbs and supplements including extracts, chemicals, and solvents used and explain the different processes.  GNC will list all ingredients on its product labels, per existing FDA rules.
• Reporting:  GNC will provide semiannual reports to the Attorney General’s Office, detailing the above information.

In related news, 13 state attorneys have asked the U.S. Congress to investigate the herbal supplement industry based on the NY General’s Office investigation.  The state attorneys are considering giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more oversight over herbal supplements.   However, it has been previously reported that the FDA is considerably underfunded already.  The question of undertaking a massive job of regulating herbal supplements would need a large funding package attached to any herbal regulation bill.   

Comment:  Regarding GNC—this is excellent progress.  However, where are the agreements with Target, Walmart, and Walgreens? Hopefully, the other stores will soon agree to the same terms as GNC.  If you want to know the potential harm of these herbs, check out the original article—it will make you think twice before buying any herbs or supplements unless there is some type of comprehensive oversight.  

Source: http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-announces-agreement-gnc-implement-landmark-reforms-herbal-supplements

http://hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2015/advocate0415_mid.html#3

Covered California weighs plan to reduce financial burden of expensive drugs for people with serious illnesses

Covered California, the state’s Obamacare health insurance exchange, could alter the way consumers pay for extremely expensive specialty drugs, but patient advocates say that medications for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis C will still cost too much.

The exchange’s board of directors, which meets today, is scheduled to consider a proposal that would set a maximum monthly co-insurance cost of $200 to $500 per prescription.

Currently, consumers pay 10 percent to 30 percent of the drug costs, which can run into thousands of dollars and cause them to quickly reach their plan’s maximum annual out-of-pocket spending limits, which range from $2,250 to $6,250.

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Resurgence of hepatitis C in Mass.

The opioid epidemic that is killing hundreds of intravenous drug users who overdosed this year in the state has resulted in a Hepatitis C epidemic, according to state health officials.

Most of those drug users, they note, are people younger than 30 who probably used contaminated syringes.

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The Five: Coffee —Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief

For some people that morning cup of Joe is the perfect way to start the day.   Surprisingly, there are many published studies that show that caffeinated coffee can improve the health of the liver and provide other health benefits.  There are some caveats to these health claims that I will discuss at the end of this article.  First let’s talk about the good news—the possible health benefits:

1. Liver Fibrosis / HCV Disease Progression: 
In a review of 177 patients—121 patients with HCV who drank about 2 ¼ cups of coffee a day were found to have reduced levels of liver fibrosis.  The results were only found in those who drank caffeinated coffee.  

In another review, 766 participants in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial found more good news.  Those who had hepatitis C-related bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis on a liver biopsy and who failed to achieve a cure after being treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy also yielded some surprising results.  Those with advanced liver disease who regularly consumed coffee were found to have lower rates of HCV disease progression.

2. Liver Cancer:
A small study found that people who drank one to three cups of coffee a day had a 29% lower risk of developing liver cancer compared to those who drank 6 cups or less a week. 

Another study which reviewed 16 different studies involving over 3,200 patients found that drinking more than 3 cups of coffee a day might cut the risk of liver cancer by up to 50%. 

3. Other Conditions: 
There are many studies that show a link between the reduction or prevention of certain types of cancers and drinking caffeinated coffee (skin, breast, colon, prostate, uterine, oral).  There are also studies that show that caffeinated coffee can lower the risk of diabetes and death. 

4. The Downside:
Now, I am going to burst the bubble!  Coffee, specifically caffeine, is a drug (a stimulant).  Moreover, with any drug you can have withdrawal: It can take more than eight weeks to withdraw entirely from caffeine—although, caffeine withdrawal is usually just an annoying headache and some light fatigue. 

Drinking or consuming caffeine can raise blood pressure, lead to heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), can cause cramps, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal health issues.  If you drink it too close to bedtime, it can cause insomnia.  Too much caffeine can cause depression, anxiety and other types of nervous behaviors.    Although rare there have been serious health consequences from people drinking energy drinks and shots. 

Examples of the typical amount of caffeine:*

• Coffee – 100 mg per cup
• Tea – 14 mg to 60 mg per cup
• Chocolate – 45 mg in 1.5 oz bar
• Most colas (unless they are labeled “caffeine-free”) – 45 mg in 12 oz. drink
• Candies, energy drinks, snacks, gum – 40-100 mg per serving

*http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ ency/article/002445.htm

There are many other side effects of caffeine, but I will stop here.  However, for most people caffeine in moderation is safe and well-tolerated!

5. Final Thoughts: 
What does all of this mean?   It is hard to draw concrete conclusions from these studies because you cannot measure what people drink, how it is made and what chemicals are in the coffee.  However, there must be something in caffeinated coffee that is contributing to all of these positive outcomes.  There are over 1,000 natural chemicals in coffee, and some of these chemicals may be contributing to the caffeine and providing these benefits.  Scientists are studying the various chemicals, and we may soon have more concrete information that may lead the way to more potent medications to treat many conditions.  In the meantime, it could not hurt to have a cup of Joe—that is if your health allows it. 

http://hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2015/advocate0415_mid.html#2