A new cure, cheap for Hepatitis C is being ignored by thousands
ABOUT 60,000 people have been cured of hepatitis C since a new generation cure went on the PBS two years ago, but experts say another 170,000 or so people are yet to seek treatment.
HEPATITIS C patient Jo Sloan was cured of the infectious disease, but her husband Les died in May 2015 of cancer complications linked to the condition.
Now Mrs Sloan, of Salisbury, is supporting a push by Hepatitis Australia to ensure people with the disease know it can be cured by drugs listed for subsidy on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Breakthrough antiviral therapy to cure the disease has seen around 60,000 Australians cured since the medicines were first listed on the PBS in 2016.
However, analysis released by Hepatitis Australia shows the take-up of the treatment has slumped and there are an estimated 170,000 Australians still living with the virus.
Hepatitis Australia chief executive Helen Tyrrell said urgent action was needed to identify people with hepatitis C as they remain at increased risk of serious liver disease including organ failure, cirrhosis and cancer. “The initial record numbers of Australians being cured of hepatitis C was fantastic news, but the majority of people with the virus are still missing out on lifesaving treatment,” she said.
“In contrast to the old interferon therapies, the new breakthrough hepatitis C cures consist of daily tablets taken for around 8-12 weeks, with few side-effects, which cure 95 per cent of people. “New hepatitis C cures can now be prescribed by GPs, avoiding long waits at liver clinics.”
Ms Tyrrell said it is vital that people living with the disease speak to their doctor to ensure they are not missing out on new cures or call the info line on 1800 437 222.
“People living with hepatitis C cannot tell if their liver health is deteriorating as there are few symptoms, other than tiredness, so please start a conversation with your doctor or call our helpline to make sure you benefit from new cures,” Ms Tyrrell said.
Mrs Sloan’s husband was initially diagnosed in 2011 but she said he may have been living with it for decades.
She sought help when she “began turning yellow” in 2014 and after being diagnosed, was put on a drug trial of the new generation medication at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
“The viral load was almost nothing within a couple of weeks,” she said. “Later they said as far as they were concerned I was cured – it was great news. To me, it’s a no-brainer. Why live with a virus that destroys your liver when you can be free of hep C in a matter of weeks?”
PBS listing means the drugs cost $39.50 per prescription or $6.40 for patients with concessions, compared to $20,000 or more prior to listing.
For World Hepatitis Day on July 28, Hepatitis Australia is releasing a video comparing ignoring treatment advances for hepatitis C to turning down a “golden ticket”.