Zoe Sharman from Ippleden, near Newton Abbot was diagnosed with Hepatitis C four years ago, she's had it for probably more than 20 years.
Although the condition is debilitating, she was not entitled to get the drug that could treat it until it got worse. That's because, according to Zoe, the drug Harvoni cost £35,000 for a 12 week course.
£35,000
cost of Harvoni drug in the UK
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That cost has led patients to go into the international drug trade themselves to track a version of it down at a fraction of the price.
Doctors have warned that buying your own drugs off the shelf can be dangerous.
Zoe says she's confident this drug, while not officially prescribed by her doctor, is safe to use. She says it's been tested in Australia and is proven to work. For her, it's transformed her life.
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Everyone deserves the right to be well. I shouldn't have to pay for it, however, I managed to borrow money off a friend - luckily - but not everyone can. There's still people out there dying.
– zoe sharman
TSBLET
Credit: ITV News
The frustration for patients like Zoe is the fact that there is a potential cure for Hepatitis C, but you have to be ill enough to get it.
What other option do they have but to look for themselves?
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