• Percentage of patients with non-detectable HCV-RNA [ Time Frame: End of treatment (week 24 for Group 1 and week 48 for Group 2) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Percentage of patients with >=2 log10 drop in HCV-RNA [ Time Frame: Treatment week 12 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• AEs, laboratory parameters. [ Time Frame: Throughout study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of PEGASYS + Copegus combination therapy given for 24 weeks versus 48 weeks in patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 2/3. Patients receiving PEGASYS (180 micrograms sc weekly) + Copegus (800-1200mg po daily) who do not achieve a rapid viral response at week 4 will enter the study between treatment week 6 and 8, and will receive study medication. Those who have an early virological response at week 12, and are still taking medication at week 24, will then be randomized to one of 2 study groups. Group 1 will stop treatment at this point and will have a 48 week post-treatment observation period, and Group 2 will stay on medication for a further 24 weeks, followed by a 24 week post-treatment observation period. The anticipated time on study treatment is 6-12 months, and the target sample size is 100-500 individuals.

• Drug: peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD) [PEGASYS]
• Drug: peginterferon alfa-2a [PEGASYS]
• Drug: Copegus

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients, >=18 years of age;
• serological evidence of chronic hepatitis C (CHC);
• CHC genotype 2 or 3;
• receiving PEGASYS + Copegus according to local standard of care and no RVR;
• compensated liver disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

• pegylated interferon, standard interferon or ribavirin therapy at any time prior to initiation of current therapy with PEGASYS + Copegus;
• coinfection with hepatitis A or B, or HIV;
• history or other evidence of decompensated liver disease.