Access to treatment for hepatitis B virus infection — worldwide, 2016

What is already known on the topic? An estimated 257 million persons were living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in 2015. What is added by this report? Among persons living with HBV worldwide, approximately 27 million (10.5%) were aware of their infection, including 4.5 million (16.7%) who were on treatment. In 2017, all but two low- and middle-income countries could legally procure generic entecavir or tenofovir, the medicines active against HBV infection. The median price of generic tenofovir fell by >85% from 2004 to 2016. However, global treatment coverage of HBV was low. What are the implications for public health practice? Access to treatment could be increased by taking advantage of reductions in price of antivirals active against HBV infection. © 2018, Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved.