More than 70,000 Victorians currently live with the hepatitis C virus. Previously, only 1.3% of people with hepatitis C received treatment; left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. However, since March 2016, several new direct acting antivirals to treat hepatitis C have been made available on the PBS General Schedule. This means that medicines can be prescribed by GPs and supplied by community pharmacists.
The information on this page provides guidance when treating, managing and referring patients with hepatitis C.
Education
Managing Hepatitis C in Primary Care
- Training in the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of people with chronic hepatitis C infection.
- Victorian HIV and Hepatitis Integrated Training And Learning (VHHITAL)
Clinical resources
HealthPathways Gippsland
The Chronic Hepatitis C pathway on HealthPathways Gippsland is under development and will in future provide relevant and evidence-based information on how to treat, monitor and refer patients with Hepatitis C.
Please check back here in early 2017 for an update and link to this information.
Clinical guidance summary
- Australian Recommendations for the Management of Hepatitis C Virus Infections: 2017 Consensus Statement.
- Download the Clinical guidance for treating hepatitis C virus infection: a summary
Hep C Help
HepCHelp is an independent website developed by Burnet Institute to assist GPs further investigate and manage patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Hep C Care Plan Templates
Best Practice Hep C Care Plan Template. DO NOT OPEN BEFORE IMPORTING INTO BEST PRACTICE. Please note this is a care plan for those patients eligible to be treated by GPs (patients with no cirrhosis) and is for the treatment process only (rather than for the chronic disease). Accordingly the care plan does not cover liver cirrhosis or related issues.
Medical Director Hep C Care Plan Template. DO NOT OPEN BEFORE IMPORTING INTO MEDICAL DIRECTOR. Please note this is a care plan for those patients eligible to be treated by GPs (patients with no cirrhosis) and is for the treatment process only (rather than for the chronic disease). Accordingly the care plan does not cover liver cirrhosis or related issues.
Prescribing / dispensing resources
- PBS General Statement for Drugs for the Treatment of Hepatitis C. Outlines patient eligibility criteria for PBS subsided direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis C Medicines Fact Sheet for Community Based Prescribers. Outlines PBS requirements for GPs prescribing direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis C Medicines Fact Sheet for Community Pharmacy Dispensers
Details prescription requirements for PBS subsided direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C.
Tools
- AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) Calculator. This tool calculates a patient’s AST to Platelet Ratio Index.
- Drug Interactions
Checks for drug interactions between drugs used to treat hepatitis C and those used for other indications. - Liver Clinics and Units in Australia
For patients
Be free from Hep C: General and treatment information for people living with hepatitis C.
LiverWell: Easy to use tools aimed at keeping your liver well.
Hepatitis C Medicines Fact Sheet for Consumers
- Hepatitis C Medicine facts for consumers.
- Hepatitis C Prevention for Injecting Drug Users: Information on safer injecting practices.
Need more assistance?
A Hepatitis C Clinical Nurse Consultant from Latrobe Community Health Service is available to assist GPs with remote consultations and prescribing the direct-acting antiviral agents.
Latrobe Community Health Service
Phoebe Trinidad, Hepatitis C Clinical Nurse Consultant
Morwell Centre: 81-87 Buckley Street, Morwell 3840
M: 0457 198 973 | T: 1800 242 696
phoebe.trinidad@lchs.com.au