PHARMACY customers can now have a say on two important strategies that will guide Australia's action against hepatitis B and C to eliminate these viruses as public health issues by 2030.
Hepatitis B and C are a significant public health challenge causing serious illness that inflames and damages the liver.
In Australia, about 232,000 people live with hepatitis B, and about 227,000 people live with hepatitis C.
The draft Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2030 and Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023-2030 outlines goals, targets, priority populations and settings, and key areas for action to help Australians live free from the impact of hepatitis B and C.
The strategies are part of a broader set of new National Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Strategies setting a strong direction for a continued response to BBV and STI.
Both strategies were drafted following consultation with state and territory governments, sector peak bodies including Hepatitis Australia, national community organisations, national research centres of excellence, and the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee.
The strategies are available HERE for feedback until 28Jun.
The Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, shared, "ensuring Australians can live free from the impact of hepatitis B and C is an Australian Government priority.
"Everyone deserves equitable access to vaccines, prevention measures, education, testing, management and treatment.
"We are working to eliminate hepatitis B and C as public health threats by 2030.
"These strategies will help guide our work over the next eight years to achieve this ambitious, life-saving goal," Butler said.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 23 Jun 23
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 23 Jun 23
