Five years on – hepatitis C is down but not out

This week is the five-year anniversary of a breakthrough in hepatitis C treatments, when new, affordable and highly effective treatments became available through the PBS.

These direct-acting antivirals that cure hepatitis C became available to sufferers, forever changing the course of the treatment of this disease.

An estimated 170 million people worldwide, 230,000 Australians and 60,000 people in Victoria are living with chronic hepatitis C. Approximately 60% of new infections are in people aged 15-29.

CEO of LiverWELL (incorporating Hepatitis Victoria) Ms Melanie Eagle said this anniversary reminds us how far we have come, and how much there is still to do to defeat hepatitis C.

“While these breakthroughs in treatments have made a huge difference in the lives of so many, and have a 95% cure rate, there is still much to be done.

It’s so important that people are aware of hepatitis C, how it can be spread, how to get tested and what the treatment options are”, said Ms Eagle.

Find out about hepatitis C today, call the LiverLine on 1800 703 003, or talk to your doctor.