20 April 2016 - There is a real risk that people living with chronic hepatitis C may not have timely access to breakthrough PBS listed medicines unless a range of supply issues are urgently addressed.

On 1 March 2016, four hepatitis C medicines were listed on the PBS: Harvoni, Sovaldi, Daklinza and Ibavyr. On 1 May, it is expected that the combination medicine, Viekira Pak, will also be listed.

As a result of these listings, some 230,000 Australians living with hepatitis C have for the first time affordable access to a cure for this life-threatening disease.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has warmly welcomed these listings and congratulated the Federal Government for making these medicines available through the PBS.

However, they are very expensive. The price to pharmacy for each monthly dose of Harvoni® is $22,136.61 + GST and for Sovaldi® is $19,367.69 + GST.

For more details, go to: http://www.guild.org.au/news-events/forefront/forefront-article/2016/04/20/new-model-needed-to-relieve-hep-c-meds-pressure-on-pharmacies