30 September 2015 - MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: A coalition of medical associations and health advocacy groups is calling on the Federal Health Minister to put breakthrough Hepatitis C drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

In an open letter to Sussan Ley, they say new anti-viral medications cure nine out of 10 people and should be made available to the quarter of a million Australians living with Hep C.

At the moment, the drugs cost more than $100,000 and are out of reach for many patients.

Lindy Kerin reports.

LINDY KERIN: Steve Gribbin's Hepatitis C was so debilitating, he was forced to give up work two years ago.

But earlier this year, the Tamworth local was given new drug treatments from the United States through a compassionate access program.

The medicines normally cost more than $100,000.

For more details, go to: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4322134.htm