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There is a realistic chance Hepatitis C will be eliminated within a few years due to new public subsidies of powerful drugs, some of Australia’s top health experts say.
Strong new drugs have been publicly subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since March 1, leading experts to think Hepatitis C could be wiped out within years.
The direct-acting anti-viral drugs are more effective and have fewer side effects than previous treatments.
“We’ve got excellent drugs that can cure people, ” said Professor Margaret Hellard of Melbourne’s Burnet Institute.
“Australia has the ability to eliminate this as a public health threat over the next 10 to 15 years.
“We are in a place to show real leadership globally.”
More than 200,000 people in Australia have the infectious, blood-borne virus. It attacks the liver, causing its inflammation, and can lead to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, liver cancer and in some cases death.
Despite the new drugs to help combat the disease, health experts say the stigma of having Hepatitis C will still need to be overcome because it is linked with drug use.
“We are talking about a very stigmatised behaviour and that is injecting drug use,” said Bill O’Loughlin from Harm Reduction Victoria.
“That’s a very powerful stigma.”
Read the rest of this story here…..http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-28/hep-c-could-be-eliminated-from-australia-in-years-experts-say/7278896