Implementing Low-Barrier HCV Treatment in a Jail Setting

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a low-barrier treatment program can help people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who are in jail start and complete treatment more easily. This study focuses on adults at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections who have active HCV and are awaiting trial. The study asks: * Can a simplified, low-barrier HCV treatment program work in a jail setting? * Do participants finish treatment and get cured using this approach? All participants will receive a 12-week course of the HCV medication sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (Epclusa). If they are released before completing treatment, they will take the remaining doses with them. Community Health Workers (CHWs) will help support participants after release, including reminding them to take medications and helping them get follow-up lab work. Researchers will measure: * Whether participants are cured of HCV * Whether the treatment approach is easy to use (feasible), acceptable, and followed correctly (fidelity) * Whether the program could be used in other jails or expanded in the future This study may help bring HCV treatment to more people in jail, reduce community spread of the virus, and support national goals to eliminate HCV.

Timeline

Start

2025-06-11

Primary completion

2027-01

Completion

2027-08

Publications

• Berk J, Fu ES, Murphy M, Akiyama MJ, Sulkowski M, Rich JD, Frank HE. MINMON-J: a hybrid implementation pilot study evaluating a low-barrier hepatitis C treatment model in a jail setting. BMJ Open. 2025 Sep 30;15(9):e104839. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-104839.

Drugs

Indications