A National Hepatitis C Strategy in Canada: A Discussion Paper

This paper was written at a time when it was expected that Health Canada would be recommending a national Hepatitis C (HCV) strategy. This paper examines three possible approaches to implementing an HCV strategy in Canada, examining the pro's and cons of each: 1) full integration of a new HCV strategy with the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS (CSHA); 2) Complete segregation of the two strategies; and 3) Partial integration of the new HCV strategy and the CSHA. It gives an overview of strategies undertaken in other countries (Australia, England, United States). The paper recommends that government should weigh the evidence carefully and, regardless of the level of integration it chooses, provide clear links between the new HCV strategy and the CSHA.