TOPIC:

Does indeed look like good news but $1b only treats 20k patients that doesn't take into account clinical expenses and no information regarding timeframes. Is that $1b straight up or 200m per year. Need more detail.

www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/20/g...on-hepatitis-c-cures

A billion-dollar investment to improve access to hepatitis C cures could lead to the disease being "all but eradicated" within a generation, the government says.

About 230,000 Australians are estimated to have the disease, which kills about 700 people a year, but the large five-year subsidy for four drugs, some that can cost up to $100,000, will halt the spread of hepatitis C, Health Minister Sussan Ley said.

"There is great hope we can not only halt the spread of this deadly infectious virus, but eradicate it altogether in

Very promising news, especially for those very unwell who need treatment asap...triaging will be mandatory. And it seems likely that thanks to the work of FixhepC and the doc it has been pushed into the spotlight where the Govt could no longer ignore it. Great stuff.

I'm with you Vovoro - what possible anti-generic deals may have been struck in order to deal with Gilead??

They dont buy from from Gilead at todays prices. Gilead has competition a much much cheaper rate will be offered. If need be Gilead will make the drugs in India and sell it ahead to wherever. Harvoni in Europe comes from Ireland today.
It could be made in Australia with a licence from Gilead, BMS or whoever. This way it would also create jobs.

Thats fantastic news!! Its a start … considering priority for those very sick people they will be cured!!!

Its wonderful news ... a historic event.

I'm certain this would not have occurred without the global focus on a hardworking, humanitarian and courageous group of people in Tasmania. The Government's initial 2014 decision to purchase only simeprevir (to be paired with interferon) in favour of sofosbuvir - shamefully understated the fact that many Australian HCV sufferers were effectively being discarded as cost saving collateral - left to die - the authorities knew that many sufferers whose condition was more advanced, could not access this treatment because of the high risk of liver failure.

I never could reconcile how this "glaring" fact somehow escaped being sufficiently publicised by the media or understood by the general public - it should have been. However, the global spotlight on Australian treatment which has so recently occurred through the Tasmanian endeavour may have eventually made this dirty little secret apparent - a shame which no Government in a "developed" nation like Australia would be eager to see focused.

But let us see how the HCV saga really unfolds - meanwhile as "all" Australians receive the drugs - generics for many may still remain the better option; there is also valuable, additional support offered by this forum and many people in the "village" still seeking assistance. There are still "many miles to go".

How can they possibly treat everyone who wants to be treated straight away?
It just doesn't make sense.
It's great news but still I am very dubious about just how universal it will be.

Perfectly stated Archer!
I don't think Gilead would have lowered its prices enough for a deal to be struck in any other first world country. Only one that allows its citizens to self-import generic treatments with the help the amazing Dr. Freeman, his Buyers' Club and REDEMTION e trials could force Greediad to make a deal.
A generation is a long time in relative terms.
Yes, a lot still to do.
Mike

''1 billion over 5 years'' ... it will be a priority set up.

To put it simply If your non-cirrhotic, you could still be waiting 3-4 years.

Generics are still the way to go ...

Such good news! I just feel bad for people it's too late for.

Great

WOW! That really is fantastic news. I can see why my Specialist kept telling me to 'wait' until my appointment in April. Nevertheless, I can't help but feel skeptical too, I know the news article says it will be 'available to everyone no matter their condition', I still suspect it could only be handled by triaging in the public clinics. So, that is certainly great news for the sickest - my brother has cirrhosis - so hoping he gets access and monitoring with his clinic in NSW.

I'm still happy I'll be starting tx soon.

Actually might be better to clarify ... treatment for many and that would be classed as the majority would be "'years'' away ...

3-4 years might be somewhat optimistic ... another billion after 5 years?

So many people will come out of the woodwork now that it's on the PBS.

The other thing to consider is that the liver/gastro units in all the major hospitals in this country could not possibly handle the influx of people wanting treatment now. The liver clinic in my town can only handle 40 patients maximum.

More questions than answers at this point ... heavily triaged is a certainty

I don't have a great deal of faith in bureaucracy, if you are seriously ill I wish you all the best you deserve it as for everyone else, don't hold your breath.

As I said generics are way to go.

Health Minister Sussan Ley interviewed on Channel 9 this morning:

www.9news.com.au/health/2015/12/20/08/14...gh-hepatitis-c-cures

She reiterates treatment availability for EVERY SINGLE PATIENT. (2:30 mins onward)

I expect we'll be hearing more from Dr James about what's really going on...

Greg Jeffery's scathing blog today:

Firstly if you go past the headlines and read the details it is actually one billion to be spent over 5 years, about $200 million a year, or what was being spent already each year on treating people with Interferon. This means in real terms that the PBS scheme will treat about 4,000 people each year, or less than half of the 10,000 new cases every year.

hepatitisctreatment.homestead.com/IndianheteroHarvoni.html

People at Hepatitis C Treatment w/o Borders are taking starkly different views on the announcement, from a spin exercise to cures for all as Sussan Ley says. Greg J is not buying it at all...