The Australian Government has announced that another new treatment for hepatitis C, Vosevi® (sofosbuvir with velpatasvir and voxilaprevir), has been made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 April 2019.
VOSEVI is listed as a re-treatment option for people who have not had success with other Direct Acting Antivral (DAA) treatments containing a NS5A inhibitor. The treatment course is for 12 weeks.
There has been an increasing range of DAAs to treat hepatitis C available to Australians on the PBS since March 2016 and these treatments have cured nearly all people who have taken them. However, Hepatitis Australia notes that just over 3% of people who have had these DAA treatments have not been able to achieve a cure. Hepatitis clinicians hope that the introduction of Vosevi will increase success rates to 100%.
People who have had unsuccessful treatment with the existing DAAs are encouraged to go back to their doctor to discuss trying this new treatment option.
‘Australia continues to be a world leader in its efforts to eliminate HCV and has the potential to be one of the first countries to reach the WHO 2030 elimination target,’ said Monash University's Head of Hepatology, Professor Stuart Roberts.
HFA continues in its commitment to eliminating hepatitis C in the Australian bleeding disorders community and welcomes the announcement of this new treatment as a major step towards achieving this.