Monitoring hepatitis C treatment
uptake in Australia Issue #15 July 20251
Executive summary
A total of 111,184 individuals initiated at least one course of direct‑acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Australia through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme between 2016 and 2024. During this period, 13,637 (12%) individuals received a second course of treatment, and 4,412 (4%) received more than two courses. The annual number of treatment initiations declined from 2016 to 2022, followed by increases in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, 8,264 individuals received treatment, comprising 5,238 (63%) initial treatments and 3,026 (37%) re‑treatments. Between 2016 and 2024, a total of 18,049 DAA re‑treatment courses were dispensed, of which an estimated 58% were for HCV re‑infection and 42% for treatment failure. The annual number of re‑treatments for re‑infection increased over time, while re‑treatments for treatment failure declined after 2019 and then plateaued from 2021 onwards. In 2024, of the 3,026 re‑treatments, 74% were for re‑infection and 26% for treatment failure. Among those receiving their first DAA treatment between 2016 and 2024, 47% were prescribed treatment by general practitioners (GPs), followed by 34% by gastroenterologists. The contribution of non‑specialists (i.e., GPs and nurse practitioners [NPs]) to DAA prescribing increased over time. In 2024, 54% of individuals were initiated on treatment by GPs, 18% by gastroenterologists, 10% by NPs, and 18% by other prescribers.
1.
The Kirby Institute. Monitoring hepatitis C treatment uptake in Australia (Issue 15). The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney NSW, Australia, July 2025 (available online at: https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/research/reports/monitoring-hepatitis-c-treatment-uptake-australia-issue-15-july-2025. For more information, contact Dr Behzad Hajarizadeh (bhajarizadeh@kirby.unsw.edu.au).
Issue #15
1