The Chamber is reviewing the Bill 4514/08, proposed by the Deputy Eduardo Sciarra (DEM-PR), which obliges the
Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) to supply the medication for the treatment of people contaminated with the Hepatitis C virus for free.

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus mainly transmitted by contaminated blood. The patient can develop a chronic form of the sickness, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and to liver cancer. In general, the sickness is asymptomatic until its later stages.

Expensive treatment
Eduardo Sciarra argues that the treatment of Hepatitis C is very expensive and that most of Brazilian citizens cannot afford it.

According to the Bill, the Health Ministry will standardize the medication used in each form and stage of the sickness.

The text also determines that the expenses resulting from the implementation of the measure be provided for in the budgets of the Union, of the states and of the municipalities.

Procedure
The Bill will be reviewed by the Committees of Social Security and Family; on Finances and Taxation; and on the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship.

Report- Noéli Nobre
Editing - Newton Araújo
Translation – Positive Idiomas Ltda