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What’s On?
Calming the C
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• Information and support in a confidential, friendly environment • Speak to others who have had treatment • Partners, family and friends welcome Now meeting at HACKNEY, ELIZABETH and PORT ADELAIDE For information, phone 8362 8443 See over for dates DUE TO COVID-19 AND THE NEED FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING, ALL CALMING THE C SESSIONS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:
Please ring 1800 437 222 for hepatitis information Call Us! Free, confidential information and support on viral hepatitis:
1800 437 222
Free Fibroscan Clinics • Hutt Street Day Centre: 258 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000; call Margery on 0423 782 415 to make an appointment • WestCare Services: 11/19
Millers Ct, Adelaide SA 5000; call Margery on 0423 782 415 to make an appointment • Wonggangga Turtpandi
Aboriginal Primary Health Care Service (Pt Adelaide CNP); 1 st Wednesday of each month, 9.30–11.30am, 11 Church St, Port Adelaide SA 5015 • Anglicare Elizabeth Mission; 17 April, 14 Aug, 13 Nov, 9.30am–12pm, 91-93 Elizabeth Way Elizabeth (Bookings via reception in person, or call 8209 5400) • Information and support in a confidential, friendly environment • Speak to others who have had treatment • Partners, family and friends welcome Calming Now meeting at HACKNEY, ELIZABETH and PORT ADELAIDE For information, phone 8362 8443 See over for dates DUE TO COVID-19 AND THE NEED FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING, ALL LIVER CLINIC
SESSIONS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER
Noarlunga GP Plus; fortnightly, Alexander Kelly Dr, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168 (Bookings via Noarlunga CNP
Changes to PBS for easier hepatitis treatment
Changes to the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 April will benefit a number of community groups affected by viral hepatitis. Firstly, younger Australians— those over 12 years of age—are now able to access direct acting anti-viral (DAA) medication to treat hepatitis C. While a relatively small percentage of the population who live with hepatitis C, these many young Australians were still understandably keen to be cured of the virus. It is very good news that the age restriction for under-18s has now been changed. Another change sees the removal of mandatory genotype testing. In the early days of DAA treatment, when the medications could only treat specific hepatitis C genotypes, it was important for specialists and treating GPs to know their patient’s genotype—that way they could prescribe the correct treatment. Pangenotypic DAAs (which work regardless of genotype) have been available for some time now and the requirement for genotype testing added an unneeded extra step for people wanting to start treatment. Finally, Nurse Practitioners (registered nurses with authority to work in an extended clinical role) can now prescribe s100 medicines for the care and management of people living with HIV and hepatitis B in the community, and also hepatitis C in corrective services settings. v
