Access to treatment
Treatment is widely available
To access treatment for Hepatitis C, patients will need a referal to a liver clinic.
Treatment is available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)i to patients with Chronic Hepatitis C infection who:
- Are 18 years or older
- Have no evidence of decompensated liver damage (complicated cirrhosis)
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding or whose female partner is not pregnant; both patient and partner each to use an effective form of contraception if potential for pregnancy
- Are managed in an accredited treatment centre. Most large hospitals in Australia are accredited treatment centres for Hepatitis C. Treatment centres are required to have access to appropriate specialist facilities for the provision of clinical support services for Hepatitis C, including all of the following services: a nurse educator/counsellor for the patient, 24 hour access by patients to medical advice, an established liver clinic and facilities for a liver biopsy if needed.
References
iwww.pbs.gov.au