A new article in Out in Perth marks 10 years since hepatitis C cures were made widely available through the PBS, outlining the number of Australians who have accessed treatment and the impact this has had on liver health outcomes nationwide.
Hepatitis Australia CEO Lucy Clynes said:
“A decade ago, hepatitis C treatment was long, difficult and out of reach for many people. The PBS listing absolutely changed everything.
“More than 100,000 Australians have now accessed treatment. Almost 100,000 people have been cured of a virus that can cause cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.”
It also explores how hepatitis C care has evolved over time, with treatment now simpler, highly effective, and increasingly delivered through primary care and community-based settings.
The article introduces Hepatitis Australia’s national rollout of the HepLink hepatitis C telehealth service, designed to remove common barriers to care by providing free consultations to increase access to testing, treatment, and support, particularly for people who may be undiagnosed or not currently engaged in care.
HepLink nurse practitioner Chris Wallis encourages anyone who may have been at risk of hepatitis C to get tested.
“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.”
“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.”
While the progress to date is substantial, the article notes there is still more to be done to reach those unaware they are living with hepatitis C and to maintain momentum towards national elimination goals.
