Since March 2016, new direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for treating infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been available in Australia under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This represents a revolution in the treatment of hepatitis C, as DAA regimens have cure rates of more than 90%, minimal adverse effects, and low treatment complexity. In contrast to previous HCV treatments, general practitioners are authorised to prescribe HCV DAAs. The Fourth National HCV Strategy emphasises that, to maximise the impact of HCV DAAs, most HCV treatment will need to move from hospital-based clinics to the primary care setting.1
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Joshua Davis has previously received research funding from Gilead Sciences and Abbvie for viral hepatitis-related research, but not for the study reported in this article.