MSD confirms it will no longer promote ZEPATIER (grazoprevir and elbasvir) andtThe company attributed its decision to the dramatic decline in the uptake of the direct-acting antivirals, with treatment rates falling "significantly" in the past year…

We are at a critical juncture - without immediate increased investment and action the 2022 National Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C targets will likely not be achieved and promise of elimination may fade away. In the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election Hepatitis Australia has laid out our requests to the major parties to get us back on track

Hepatitis Australia welcomes the Government’s broad commitment to Australia’s National Strategies addressing blood borne virus (BBVs) and in particular supports its increased focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the broader Indigenous health funding announced in the Federal Budget. 

However, Hepatitis Australia notes the lack of additional support to reverse the sharp decline in people being cured of hepatitis C and the apparent lack of recognition of liver cancer and deaths related to hepatitis B.

The PBAC is considering simplifying the PBS listing of the direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C as the latest prescribing data continues to show a sustained slowdown in utilisation.

“I am excited for this opportunity to use my skills and experience to champion our members and people affected by viral hepatitis to make viral hepatitis elimination a reality,” Cary said.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to serve as President and continue the great work of the Alliance in moving us towards elimination by 2030.”

A study published in The Lancet this month has found that direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for hepatitis C are associated with a reduced risk of mortality and liver cancer. The findings contrast with the controversial Cochrane Review into DAAs, published in September 2017, which cast doubt on the clinical effectiveness of DAAs.

The findings of the study mean that “treatment with direct-acting antivirals is associated with reduced risk for mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma and should be considered in all patients with chronic HCV infection”.