Single Source Procurement: Improving Linkage and Access to Hepatitis C Care and Treatment Enhancement

Pursuant to New York State Finance Law § 163.10(b), The New York State Department of Health is presenting the following summary of relevant circumstances, and material and substantial reasons why a competitive procurement was not feasible.

The NYSDOH AIDS Institute (AI) is adding $50,604 to enhance C30216GG to fund the implementation and evaluation of a new Hepatitis C Preceptorship Program targeting NYS addiction specialist and substance use providers. The purpose of the preceptorship program is to increase provider knowledge and skills to effectively and safely treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Many people infected with HCV have co-occurring substance use disorders (i.e., injection drug use (IDU)). IDU accounts for 68% to 80% of all HCV infections in the world. The increase in opioid use in NYS has also resulted in an increase in the number of new HCV cases reported. As highly effective antiviral therapy for HCV infection is now available, efforts to diagnose HCV and to identify treatment-eligible candidates is an increasingly important priority, particularly among persons with substance use disorders. Despite national guideline recommendations and many studies showing that people who inject drugs can successfully be treated for HCV, treatment uptake among this population is low due to provider concerns associated with treatment efficacy, adherence to medications and the risk for re-infection. Studies show high efficacy and adherence rates and low HCV reinfection rates among persons with substance use disorders. An increase in HCV treatment among people who inject drugs will have major impact on prevention of new cases and help lead to elimination of HCV.

The objectives of the HCV preceptorship include: 1) increase knowledge of current HCV medication therapy for patients with HCV and/or HCV/HIV co-infection; 2) develop skills for the management of HCV infection among persons with co-occurring substance use disorders; 3) describe the management of addiction disorders, particularly opiate dependency and skills; and 4) identify key elements of a multi-disciplinary team to manage persons with HCV and substance use disorders. Contractors were awarded contract(s) as a result of the competitive procurement process.

Procurement / Program Name Improving Linkage and Access to Hepatitis C Care and Treatment Enhancement
Contractor Name(s) Erie County Medical Center Corp.
Contract Period 4/1/2017 – 3/31/2018
Contract Number(s) C30216GG