Ideally, a patient could get tested for HCV, receive their diagnosis, and start treatment, all on the same day.
Canada's Testing Policy Needs to Keep Up With Testing Technology
Two point-of-care tests for HCV antibody are approved for use in Canada, and one rapid test to confirm infection. These tests should allow patients who are at risk of loss to follow up to be diagnosed and start treatment on the same day.
To fully benefit from these new technologies, provinces and territories need policies that integrate these testing technologies into data collection and reimbursement systems, as well as public funding models.
Xpert® HCV VL Fingerstick
In summer 2025, Cepheid announced that Health Canada has licensed their Xpert® HCV VL Fingerstick, an HCV RNA test that detects and quantifies HCV directly from a drop of blood, simplifying the diagnostic pathways to speed up linkage to care and monitoring sustained virological response.
The test is designed for use on Cepheid's GeneXpert system, which provides simple, reference lab-quality PCR testing on-site in laboratory environments at medical centers and hospitals, as well as in community health clinics and physician offices, yielding results in approximately one hour.
With this news now made public, AHC is meeting with provincial and territorial formulary managers to request that the GeneXpert test results be accepted for the purpose of treatment reimbursement. We will also be advocating for the tests to be publicly funded and integrated into data collection systems.
To fully benefit from these new technologies, provinces and territories need policies that integrate these testing technologies into data collection and reimbursement systems, as well as public funding models.
Xpert® HCV VL Fingerstick
In summer 2025, Cepheid announced that Health Canada has licensed their Xpert® HCV VL Fingerstick, an HCV RNA test that detects and quantifies HCV directly from a drop of blood, simplifying the diagnostic pathways to speed up linkage to care and monitoring sustained virological response.
The test is designed for use on Cepheid's GeneXpert system, which provides simple, reference lab-quality PCR testing on-site in laboratory environments at medical centers and hospitals, as well as in community health clinics and physician offices, yielding results in approximately one hour.
With this news now made public, AHC is meeting with provincial and territorial formulary managers to request that the GeneXpert test results be accepted for the purpose of treatment reimbursement. We will also be advocating for the tests to be publicly funded and integrated into data collection systems.
Mapping Testing Policies in Canada
To help inform your advocacy and your testing strategies, we have created an interactive map to help you track testing policies in each jurisdiction.
Use this map to see:
This map will be updated as we receive more confirmations. If you see an error or can provide an update, please email [email protected].
Use this map to see:
- Where Dried Blood Spot (DBS) RNA test results are accepted for applications for HCV treatment coverage by the public drug plan.
- Where Point-Of-Care (POC) RNA test results are accepted for applications for HCV treatment coverage by the public drug plan.
This map will be updated as we receive more confirmations. If you see an error or can provide an update, please email [email protected].
Toward Same Day Starts
HCV Treatment (DAA) Reimbursement Policies Across Canada
*This material is shared for reference and context purposes. Many updates to DAA Reimbursement Policies have been realized since 2020. Please see the most recent Progress Report for more up-to-date information.
In November 2020, Action Hepatitis Canada and CanHepC co-hosted a virtual panel discussion to bring together clinical and community perspectives as we determine the path forward for Canada.
As hoped, that event has sparked conversation across the country between healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers.
As hoped, that event has sparked conversation across the country between healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers.
Highlights from the Same-Day Starts Discussion. English and French captions provided.
Our poster on this topic, Policies For Reimbursement Of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment For Hepatitis C Virus Infection In Canada: ‘A Patchwork Of Obstruction’ was displayed at the Canadian Liver Meeting, May 2-5, 2021. The PDF can also be viewed here.
