People living with hepatitis C can now access easy-to-take and effective medications to cure their illness. 
According to NSW Health, the new oral tablet medication will have a cure rate of 95 per cent. 

“People can be cured in 8-12 weeks in all-oral tablets – no injections, minimal side-effects and improved energy levels,” Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said. 

“It is important that people see their GP to be treated for their hepatitis C as this will improve their own health as well as prevent the transmission of the infection to others,” she added. 

Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer in Australia, and the most common reason for a liver transplantation. 

This is part of the $4.5 million investment in the 2018-19 to strengthen hepatitis c testing and treatment for the more than a quarter of people in NSW living with hepatitis C. 

It is also part of the NSW Government’s goal to eliminate hepatitis C across NSW by 2028. 

“More than 21,000 people in NSW were treated for hepatitis C over a 21 month period between March 2016 and December last year. However, there are still an estimated 60,000 people remaining in NSW to come forward for treatment,” Dr Chant said. 

All people who have in the past or present injected drugs should ask their doctor for a hepatitis C test and follow up with treatment if infected.  

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