WHO has set a goal of eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030 but the achievement of this goal is challenged by people who inject drugs (PWID), who account for most of the new cases of HCV infection in high-income countries.

In order to achieve the 2030 WHO viral hepatitis elimination goals, EASL recommends: that all barriers to the uptake of healthcare services by PWID be removed by changing policies and discrimination that hinder access. This includes the decriminalisation of minor, non-violent drug offences and the adoption of an approach based on public health promotion, respect for human rights and evidence.

Download full version of policy statement

Download lay version of policy statement

EASL thanks the respective national associations for the study of the liver and the partner associations, The German Association for the Study of Liver Disease (GE) and the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (RU), for the translation of this EASL policy statement.
The document is available in the following languages: Czech, French, German, and Russian. Select the preferred language on the right-hand side of the page and download the document.

EASL thanks la Société Française d’Hépatologie (AFEF), Prof. Dr. Alexandre Louvet, Dr. Line Carolle Ntandja Wandji, for the translation of the English version into French.

EASL thanks the Foundation of the Czech Society of Hepatology for the translation of the English version into Czech.

During the EASL Patient Forum in November 2020, patient associations declared their support to the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in its endeavour to achieve the 2030 WHO viral hepatitis elimination goals and EASL Policy Statement on Drug Use and the Global Hepatitis C Elimination Goal. Read here the declaration of support.