PBAC recommend in March 2015 and July 2015 that the new drugs should be s85 not s100, which means they will be able to be prescribed by a regular GP and dispensed at a community pharmacy. This is in recognition of the fact that the current models of care (hospital clinics) will not be able to meet the demand for treatment and the fact that treatment will be much less complex with the new drugs. If you have cirrhosis you will probably still need to be treated at a hospital liver clinic.
PBAC have indicated they are not keen on prioritisation of certain patient groups (by disease progression, treatment history or drug use history) which is great news for Australia. Many other countries are having to fight this battle after access to the drugs was provided.
The earliest possible announcement for PBS is now 1 December 2015, which could mean access in April 2016. The Health Minister has indicated she will not hold back PBAC recommendations once the pricing negotiations are concluded.
All we need now is the successful conclusion to the pricing negotiations.
Diagnosed with the filth in 2002
Two unsuccessful battles in the interferon war of attrition
Almost beaten into submission between 2008-2014
Finally got the good stuff in 2015 – awaiting SVR
Currently releasing my inner activist. GRRRRRRR!
