Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination faces barriers, including underutilization of curative treatments and gaps in testing. In the United States, diagnostic methods rely on antibody tests, which don’t confirm active infection. The absence of point-of-care (POC) HCV RNA testing—widely used internationally—hinders the elimination effort. Regulatory delays have prevented its approval, despite public investment. POC RNA testing could improve HCV diagnosis, especially for marginalized groups who face challenges with traditional testing methods, such as people who inject drugs.

Integrating POC HCV RNA testing is essential for closing testing gaps and advancing HCV elimination. Evidence shows that POC testing could enhance patient outcomes by enabling faster diagnoses in community programs, pharmacies, and prisons. However, challenges like high costs, regulatory hurdles, and limited reimbursement persist. The US government is working to address these issues with initiatives to speed regulatory approval and fund POC testing. Successful implementation will require further investment in research, infrastructure, and reimbursement models to ensure widespread access.

Reference: Kapadia SN, Jordan AE, Eckhardt BJ, Perlman DC. The Urgent Need to Implement Point-of-Care RNA Testing for Hepatitis C Virus to Support Elimination. Clin Infect Dis. 2024;78(5):1235-1239. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad503.