Australia is leading the world on the treatment of hepatitis C and is on track to eliminate the virus in ten years if record numbers of people continue to seek and receive breakthrough antiviral treatment, according to a new analysis released on World Hepatitis Day.
The Kirby Institute at UNSW says that, since the new generation hepatitis C cures were made available on the PBS in March this year, more than 22,470 Australians have commenced treatment – a massive increase on the 2,000-3,000 people treated annually prior to the reimbursement.
Gilead's SOVALDI (sofosbuvir) and HARVONI (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir), along with Bristol-Myers Squibb's DAKLINZA (daclatasvir), which can be used in combination with SOVALDI, were listed on the PBS on 1 March.
AbbVie's VIEKIRA PAK (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets) and VIEKIRA PAK-RBV (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets with ribavirin) were listed on 1 May.
Data from IMS Health has revealed wholesale sales of the new therapies reached almost $1.1 billion in the four months following their reimbursement in March.
Professor Greg Dore from the Kirby Institute said, “Australia is leading the world in the treatment of hepatitis C, with the most rapid uptake of new treatments seen anywhere in the world, thanks to the unique approach Australia has taken in making these medicines available without restriction.
“This represents a huge leap forward in public health. To put this into perspective, we are on track to cure more people with hepatitis C this year than in the past twenty years of interferon-therapy.”
Hepatitis Australia CEO, Helen Tyrrell said that the wave of people who had been treated was “frankly phenomenal” but that Australia must keep up the momentum in order to make the elimination of hepatitis C a reality within a decade in Australia.
“Governments, along with the health and community sector, should be applauded for the record number of people with hepatitis C coming forward for treatment so far, but of course these efforts must be sustained over many years to reach everyone who would benefit,” said Ms Tyrrell.
“The message for the 230,000 Australians living with hepatitis C is: Ask your doctor about new hepatitis C cures. Don’t miss out. You can be cured in as little as 12 weeks and with far fewer side-effects than previous treatments,” urged Ms Tyrrell.
