Health reform helps cure 100,000 Australians

Almost 100,000 Australians have been cured of hepatitis C since the treatment went onto the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme almost exactly 10 years ago.

More than 110,000 people have been treated for the virus over the past decade, and Hepatitis Australia is marking the occasion by launching a new telehealth service for people at risk of hepatitis C as part of HepLink, the national hepatitis information and linkage service.

The telephone and virtual care service offers a new and easier way for people to get access to testing, treatment, and support. It is free to anyone anywhere in Australia and does not require

a referral.

The landmark PBS listing of new-generation hepatitis C medicines on 1 March 2016 transformed treatment of hepatitis C – which can cause cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer – by introducing a short-course, highly effective cure that enabled nationwide access.

Hepatitis Australia chief executive Lucy Clynes said the federal government’s decision to provide broad, free access to hepatitis C cures was one of the most significant public health reforms in a generation.

“A decade ago, hepatitis C treatment was long, difficult and out of reach for many people. The PBS listing absolutely changed everything,” she said.

“That is tens of thousands of lives changed, families spared enormous stress and a substantial reduction in future liver cancer and liver disease.”

“The statistics illustrate the scale and success of Australia’s decision to fund hepatitis C cures through the PBS.”

Since the listing of the new generation of hepatitis C treatments in 2016, the number of people living with chronic hepatitis C in Australia has fallen by 61 per cent, and the prevalence of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs has dropped dramatically

Treatment has also shifted into primary care settings, with almost half of first treatments prescribed by GPs, making hepatitis C cures much more accessible in local communities across Australia.

“While this is an important milestone, an estimated 63,000 Australians are still living with chronic hepatitis C, and many are unaware that they have it,” Clynes said.

“Hepatitis Australia and its partner organisations continue to roll out new and innovative ways to deliver hepatitis C care to those who need it.”

Chris Wallis, a nurse practitioner with more than 18 years’ experience, said HepLink was focused on making treatment even easier to find.

“Many Australians are simply unaware that they have contracted hepatitis C or that a straightforward cure now exists. Others live a long way from specialist services and assume treatment will be complicated to access,” he said.

“If there is even a small chance you could have been exposed years ago through injecting drug use, a tattoo, or a medical procedure overseas, my message is simple.

“Get tested. Testing is the most powerful tool we have to eliminate hepatitis C.”

He said today’s hepatitis C treatments were fast and highly effective.

“Most people simply take tablets once a day for eight to 12 weeks, experience few or no side effects and more than 95 per cent are cured,” he said.

“I have had patients tell me they had absolutely no idea how unwell they felt until the virus was gone.

“Once cured, they could not believe how healthy and clear they actually felt.”

For more information, phone 1800 437 222 or head to heplink.au