Thankyou to Brad Colbourne from the Hepatitis C Council of Queensland for providing this information. 

Pages 35-36 of the HCQ’s Hepatitis C Info-kit:

http://hepqld.asn.au/images/Resources/hepatitis%20c%20info%20kit%20%28web%20version%29.pdf

How do I get pegylated interferon combination therapy?

Pegylated-interferon is used in combination with Ribavirin (except in patients who are intolerant to Ribavirin). Generally speaking, for access to treatment that involves interferon, you need to obtain a detailed assessment by a specialist. Together with your Specialist, you then need to decide on whether or not to have a liver biopsy (except for people with blood coagulation disorders), to determine:

* The amount of inflammation in your liver.

* The amount of fibrosis, or scarring, there may be in your liver.

* The presence of any other liver disease.

* Your suitability for treatment.

Liver Biopsy is no longer a mandatory requirement for access to Government-subsidised treatment. Deciding on having a liver biopsy is a matter for an informed decision by the patient and Specialist together. You should speak with your Specialist about the benefits and risks of liver biopsies.

Criteria for Subsidised Pegylated Interferon Combination Therapy (Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin)

Subsidised pegylated interferon combination therapy is available to those who satisfy the following criteria:

* Must have chronic hepatitis C (PCR+).

* Contraception: women of child-bearing age undergoing treatment must not be pregnant, nor be breast-feeding, and both the woman and her male partner must each use at the same time an effective form of contraception (one form for each person). Likewise, men undergoing treatment and their female partners must each use at the same time effective forms of contraception (one form for each person). Female partners of men undergoing treatment must not be already pregnant.

* Age: must be at least 18 years of age.

* Treatment History: must not have had previous interferon or pegylated interferon treatment.

Treatment eligibility requirements will differ for conventional combination therapy and Pegylated interferon monotherapy, please discuss these details with your doctor and specialist to find out what is relevant to you.

Pegylated interferon combination therapy is subsidised under the current Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – section 100 guidelines (PBS – s100). PBS s100 is a list of expensive, highly specialised drugs subsidised by the Government – this means the cost of the treatment is shared between the Federal and State governments. s100 drugs are free; however the usual dispensing costs for medication apply ($31.30 per month), which may be reduced for Health Care Card holders ($5.00 per month). You may wish to check these details with your clinic nurse.

Outside of the access arrangements provided by the PBS s100 there are some options for people wishing to access combination therapy. s100 Industry-sponsored special access programs (sometimes called compassionate access, or extended access) currently provide possible access for people seeking treatment but who do not meet the subsidised s100 criteria. People can seek more information from their local liver clinic. Although expensive (around $2,000 per month), people on such a program are able to access treatment privately through their doctor or Specialist. You will need to speak with your doctor and Specialist about any of these options.

PBS - http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/consumer/pbs/about

PBS Schedule - http://www.pbs.gov.au/publications/2008/2008-02-01-general-schedule.pdf

Half-way down page 549 is RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a. This is 'Pegasys RBV' from the Roche company.

Half-way down page 550 is RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2b. This is 'Pegatron' from the Schering-Plough company.

New Zealand -

http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/interactive/scripts/search.asp?TYPE=containing&GENERIC=interferon&search_type=schedule

Click the red exclamation mark for the restriction details.

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