Physicians expect the rate of diagnosis to continue rising in Australia due to heightening of awareness among general practitioners regarding screening and treatment for Hepatitis C. Screening of Hepatitis C patients in Australia, especially among illicit drug users, has resulted in a spike in the number of diagnosed cases of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2009, an estimated 77 percent of patients-at-risk with Hepatitis C were diagnosed, and this figure is expected to reach up to 87 percent by 2016.
Higher efficacy and safety are the most preferred drug attributes. Physicians expect new oral anti-virals (boceprevir and telaprivir) and interferon with improved safety (albuferon) to be launched by 2013 in Australia. According to physicians, prevalence had increased rapidly during the early 2000s. However, the rate had declined over the years, and the pace is likely to slacken in the future owing to a major disruption to the supply of heroin in Australia in 2001.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharma.frost.com), Multi Client Study: Opportunities Assessment for the Hepatitis C Therapeutics Market in Australia, finds that the market earned revenues of $2.3 billion in 2007 and this is expected to increase to approximately $4.5 billion by 2017 due to new drug launches occurring after 2010.
"The Australian Government has unleashed Initiatives to address the Hepatitis C virus in the country, allocating $14.3 million (Australian dollar 17 million) for Hepatitis C education and prevention over the 2007-2011 period," says Frost & Sullivan Program Manager Carole Gaffud. "State and territory governments also have substantial budgets for Hepatitis C prevention and education."
The priority action areas identified as part of the National Hepatitis C Strategy are prevention, education, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and research. The Government is avidly addressing healthcare workforce development as well as issues surrounding discrimination and stigma.