Harvoni in Australia - next week?

[HazelAustralia]

Harvoni is meant to be available to everyone in Australia from 1st March, which is a week and a bit away. I've been searching for a friend and can't find any mention of it. Where is it available and how? There doesn't seem to have been much training in the AOD, community health or health sectors in advance of its release either. Has anyone heard anything?
H.

[Philadelphia]

I know some liver clinics have been gearing up for it. Your friend should be in contact with a treating clinic if possible, a specialist at the least. They should have their blood work done and know their genotype, viral load, liver status and any other complications (cirrhosis stage, co morbidities etc). 

I know of people who already have appointments with liver clinics in March and are ready to roll.

[HazelAustralia]

Thanks Philadelpia, I'll suggest she makes an appt. with a clinic in the city I think.

[Gaj]

Hi Hazel,

I was at my clinic in Melbourne last week for my 12wk checks. Sounded like they all expect to be pretty busy so I suggest the earlier your friend can get in the better. If she already has recent results history that will help.
Supposedly GPs will be able to prescribe and monitor, either with extra training or in consultation with a specialist so it may pay for your friend to see if they can sound out a friendly GP to help them fast track. Certainly for the Sof/dac or Sof/Led Tx without cirrhosis or other complications, the GP just needs to run bloods for monitoring and can reconsult if anything out of the ordinary shows up just like they would for any other specialist. I suspect there will be other options too, but don't know details yet.