TOPIC: PBS Pricing - Take a deep breath...

I had to see a local doc last Sunday at the medical centre and asked her if she has been treated any hep c patients, she replied no and that they can't. I explained that they she can start writing scripts as long as they have the appropriate blood tests, she told me I was wrong and only specialists could. We went to and fro on the subject for a while with her ending up bristling as her lack of understanding of the subject became more obvious. I finished by saying they probably should go through their files and start writing to all their patients with Hep c and initiating treatment as they will have plenty out here in Western Sydney.

Tact was never a strong point for me.

My GP informed me a couple of weeks ago that he will be on board with prescribing the meds but he will be doing a couple of "courses" first to learn more about them and what he needs to know to prescribe them. He has been awesome all the way through with me and has been a great support albeit not knowing all that much about the generics at the time. He has faxed all my results to James (as he requested) and has been more than helpful if I have any questions. I have a smidge over four weeks to go before I get my blood test for SVR12. Fingers crossed

Attended my clinic today, I attend in the pm rather than the main clinic in the mornings so wasn't able to witness that but it was very obvious that changes have occurred. The upbeat feel I got from the staff was palpable, they are obviously thrilled to be able to offer DAAs to their patients. Without telling tales out of school, I have a feeling that triage is not occurring and several dozen scripts are being written weekly as required. Obviously there is a backlog of previously warehoused patients but certainly the indications I got were that that this is being worked through as quickly and smoothly as possible. I also heard from someone else this week that they had reliable information that their NSW clinic was supplying at least 20 scripts per week. So it seems there is some good news on the PBS initiative at the moment and hopefully that will flow through all clinics as any kinks get ironed out and it will become a ongoing process with GP support as well.

That's great Gaj
I'm at Monash next Friday so I will share the vibe if it's changed in the last month
Sounds good
I think David Badov At Franskton Liver Clinic may be writing scripts my GP did my EOT bloods today and asked me about interface with David as now more people are seeking tx. That's for any South Eastern suburb or Peninsula residents info
Worth an appointment he bulk bills.
Will update re Monash next week.
Thanks for your post

Take a deep breath....
So I went to Monash today for my check in being a loyal clinic bench warmer as I am, and report the "vibe" as I promised.
Firstly it was busier than usual but that may mean anything like more people trying to get meds or more referal patients coming through because the mood was not high. I waited an hour plus for five minutes tops which was interrupted by the receptionist and then the nurse who announced that the specialist was needed for the next patient thanks.
So I didn't really get a lot of time to feel it out. I talked to a few patients one had a trial last round and has been clear since, another lady was upset about her feeling quite sick she was on PBS 24 weeks sof/dac plus a lot of riba. 3 in the morning ouch. I'm not really sure that many were on tx it seems that still patients are being pushed back just listening to appointment scheduling as I sat for the hour waiting. But as I point out, it was busier, which can only be a good thing, it clearly meant more are seeking treatment.
It's a tiny clinic area too and tucked away in the bowels of the hospital pardon the gastro reference haha.
Anyway that is my update re SE Melb public hosp.
Seems busy that's a good sign that's the main thing.
Cheers
Ariel

I'm getting my 4 week bloods done at RPA next week, will be in and out of pathology and off to work. I'm meant to be having an appointment with the clinic nurse but I emailed her and asked if I have to come in at all. She is happy to do it over the phone but I think I'll ask if she can just email me the results.If the results are as expected and hoped for, all good. If not I'll just do whatever they want me to do.
It's hard to pick the vibe at the RPA clinic because there are kidney patients there too