TOPIC:

If you are waiting for Government to come to the rescue here is something from this time last year.....

www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-23/rejection...p-c-sufferer/5837484

Liver experts at a conference on the Gold Coast have been warned Australia is on the verge of a catastrophic death spiral from Hepatitis C.

Dr Miriam Levy, the director of gastroenterology at Sydney's Liverpool Hospital, told the conference on Thursday that the recent decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to refuse subsidies for a breakthrough treatment for Hepatitis C had effectively delivered a death sentence to up to 50,000 Australians who would die from the disease in the next few years.

So for a national emergency known about for quite a while the progress is glacial.

We all know why the government is doing nothing. It just ain't a fashionable disease that will win them any accolades. kindly

There is possibly another reason for Australians to buy their medications now apart from the horror post of Dr F.
It is almost inevitable that sooner or later the American Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in the USA.The prognosis is that it will occur sooner.It is also likely that our institutions such as the Banks,BHP etc will not be able to continue paying the high dividends that have attracted so much foreign capital to Aust.The net result will be a fall in the AUD relative to the USD.The RBA have often stated they would like to see it fall to around $65.Many involved in the inward tourist industry,and exporters would like it to fall much further.
So as the future outlook appears now,if you have not bought your medications,and they are priced in USD it would be pragmatic to buy them sooner rather than later otherwise you could be paying quite a large amount more.
Of course in finance nothing is ever certain.

I have seen over the years new costly life saving medicines come onto the market. A small amount of TV publicity. Within a few weeks they have got PBS listing. I really would love it to be an exchange rate problem. I even think its a human rights issue. kindly

There has to be a political component, I am sure...as you say its a disease most commonly affecting one of the most maligned/marguinalised groups in society - not really any vote winners on that score.

Have to think it could also be the numbers involved - not quite a quarter mil people - possibly new pricey cancer drugs aren't necessarily going to be used on those kind of patient numbers (just talking off the top of my head here, no stats)

I am an ardent supporter of generics & am awaiting delivery of mine. But fail to understand why a story a year old which does not represent the current situation is posted as " recent news & a reason not to wait" I do not say we are in a better situation. But for a minute thought that the PBSAC had changed their mind & unrecommended the DAA to the Goverment. Not everyone is as lucky as us & can afford these generics & are hoping like hell their is good news in December ( I dont think so) but this is misleading untill looked at closely. Regards Angus

I am an ardent supporter of generics & am awaiting delivery of mine. But fail to understand why a story a year old which does not represent the current situation is posted as " recent news & a reason not to wait" I do not say we are in a better situation. But for a minute thought that the PBSAC had changed their mind & unrecommended the DAA to the Goverment. Not everyone is as lucky as us & can afford these generics & are hoping like hell their is good news in December ( I dont think so) but this is misleading untill looked at closely. Regards Angus

Don't worry Angus the doc has just assured the Hep c buyers club that they get 1st grade - top quality medicine. They are not generics. The PBAC recommended for listing on the PBS. The problem is Cabinet oversees all listings. Cabinet has the final word. To date of all the new expensive medicines that have been listed on PBS, heppers have dipped out. It is really dreadful that there are people in dire need of this medicine and cannot afford it - micro finance charities could fill this gap with no interest loans. I am taking it
upon myself but are yet to hear from a person well versed in the best way to go. The hep organisations are utterly useless in every aspect of the generic and 1st grade medicine for either information or how to access it. You have made the right decision.

Hi Angus,

Yes, it is a good point. I was sent the link today and did not twig about the 2014 - I just presumed it was from a couple of weeks ago.

Given that it's still not available it remains relevant.....

I will edit the post to make it obvious it was from last year.