The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has now published its guidance on the use of tenofovir.

Tenofovir is an oral medicine recommended as an option for the treatment of people with chronic HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative hepatitis B in whom antiviral treatment is indicated.  This guidance does not apply to people with chronic hepatitis B who also have hepatitis C, hepatitis D or HIV.

The Hepatitis B Foundation UK was involved in all stages of this appraisal and the charity is delighted that this guidance has now been published.  In developing the guidance NICE took account of the views of clinical experts, and patient experts representing the Hepatitis B Foundation UK: "The Committee was advised by the clinical experts of the importance of having a variety of treatments available in order to combat the problem of viral resistance. The Committee heard from the patient experts that tenofovir disoproxil was well tolerated with few adverse effects. The patient experts also explained that treatments which are associated with a low risk of viral resistance would increase peace of mind and hence quality of life".