- Proof that a triple-therapy (peginterferon alfa-2a, ribavirin and amantadine sulphate) dispensed over a period of 50 weeks, improves the permanent virological efficacy by more than 10% as compared to a combination therapy with peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin, defined as negative HCV-RNA result obtained by a molecular verification method (e.g. Roche AmplicorTM HCV, v.2.0, sensitivity <50 IE/ml) 24 weeks after the end of the therapy.