Nurses are able to prescribe hep B and hep C medications

From 1 April authorised nurse practitioners can prescribe medicines listed on the PBS for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV therapies. This change reinforces the skills of authorised nurse practitioners, their vital role in helping Australia achieve hepatitis C elimination and the continuous care they provide for people living with hepatitis C, HIV and hepatitis B.

This change reinforces the skills of authorised nurse practitioners, their vital role in helping Australia achieve HCV elimination and the continuous care they provide for people living with hepatitis C, HIV and hepatitis B.

Since the direct-acting antivirals became available in Australia in 2016, more than 70,000 Australians have been cured of hepatitis C.[i] This prescribing amendment is another step forward in supporting Australia’s efforts to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 and in helping work towards zero new HIV infections.

Increasing the number of professionals able to prescribe therapies, particularly for hepatitis C, may also increase the number of patients treated, by making it easier to access treatment.

Authorised nurse practitioners will now be allowed to prescribe the following treatments:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV):  Epclusa®, Harvoni®, Sovaldi®, and Vosevi®
Hepatitis B virus (HBV): Viread® and Hepsera®
HIV: Biktarvy®, Odefsey®, Descovy®, Atripla®, Genvoya® and Viread®.