Australian recommendations for the management of hepatitis C virus infection: A consensus statement

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 230000 Australians, who are at risk of progressive liver fibrosis leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. • HCV infection is curable, and all Australians living with HCV should be considered for antiviral therapy. • Interferon-free regimens involving combinations of sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, daclatasvir and/or ribavirin for 8, 12 or 24 weeks are now listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for treating people with genotypes 1e3 HCV. Treatment for genotypes 4e6 HCV involves sofosbuvir plus peginterferon-alfa and ribavirin for 12 weeks. • The PBS listing allows these therapies to be prescribed by specialists ex..