Gov’t acts on hepatitis report

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The federal government has agreed to spend $80.7 million to address issues raised in a report on hepatitis C and the blood supply.

The Senate community affairs references committee last month revealed serious concerns about hepatitis C contracted through Australia’s blood supply system.

The inquiry report found up to 8,000 Australians were believed to have contracted hepatitis C through blood transfusions.

Health Minister Tony Abbott said the government had agreed to fund access to recombinant clotting factors for haemophilia patients.

“A small number will not be able to use recombinant products and will continue to be provided with plasma-derived clotting factors,” Mr Abbott said in a statement.

“The government will provide ongoing funding of $80.7 million over four years, to be supplemented by the states and territories.”

Mr Abbott said the government had asked the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to conduct a review of access to drugs to treat hepatitis C.

And it would consider a public awareness campaign as it finalised a new national hepatitis C strategy.

Other recommendations were the subject of talks between the federal and state governments, he said.

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