It is not only the health care system, big pharma want to make money too. I also had Hep C 1a. I got 48 weeks Peginterferon Alpha 2a. And this was a miniscule amount of 8,6 mg (!) which they charged 12.000€ off my insurance. I also needed the ribavirin which was another 9000€. I live in germany with national halth care system so i must admit pharma trys to make some extra bucks with us, we are notorious for the highest pharma prices in europe.
Dont be too worried about Hep c, even typ 1a has a good chance for SVR (= sustained virological response). Adverse effects from Interferon/Ribavirin can be serious, but if you are young and otherwise healthy its shouldnt be too bad. My worst problem was a deficit in red and white blood cells wich made me extremly tired. A ride with the bicycle was almost too much to take for me. I also lost weight, despite the fact i ate lots of sweets. I think this is due to loss in muscle mass. I have to say the symtomps worsen over time, and i had almost no problem till i reached 24 weeks. In the beginning i also had some mild flue like symtomps and back to the end i also had depressions ( with suicidal thoughts). But i have to admit i was still using i.v. all the time. For the average person this may sound like unacceptable side effects, but i am so glad my virological load is no more messurable. It was my first step on my recovery from drug addiction. Six month later i got clean.