June 2017: The PBAC recommended that Vemlidy be approved for the treatment of hep B, replacing Viread because of reduced side-effects.

March 2017: Nil to report as we await PBS listing of Epclusa, and PBAC recommendations regarding Vemlidy.

December 2016: Two big wins in the final month of the year, with PBS listing of Zepatier to take effect from 1 January 2017 (which will be the first interferon-free option for hep C genotype 4, and an additional option for genotype 1), and the PBAC recommendation in favour of Epclusa (which would be the first pan-genotypic hep C treatment) and Technivie.

September 2016: The main identifiable policy change was the PBAC recommendation that Zepatier be added to the PBS, a decision that was released at the end of August 2016.

June 2016: The main identifiable policy change was the additional listing of Viekira Pak on the PBS from 1 May, which was at least in part as a result of Hepatitis NSW's successful Equal Treatment Access campaign over the past 2 years.

March 2016: There were no new 'wins' in this area, although we continue to advocate for the addition of more DAAs (including Viekira Pak) to the PBS.

December 2015: Hepatitis NSW, together with Hepatitis Australia, other organisations across the sector, as well as the community itself, succeeded in the announcement of PBS listing of new hepatitis C drugs from 1 March 2016. In particular, Hepatitis NSW drove the 'Equal Treatment Access' agenda, which lead to these drugs being listed without restriction based on treatment history or liver disease stage.

September 2015: Hepatitis NSW, including its community advocates, through our submissions played a role in securing the positive recommendation from the PBAC in August for Viekira Pak.

June 2015: Hepatitis NSW, including its CEO Mr Stuart Loveday, were cited extensively in the final report of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Inquiry into Hepatitis C, called The Silent Disease, released in June 2015. This included citations on key advoacy goals including hepatitis C awareness raising campaigns, NSP accessibility, Equal Treatment Access to new hepatitis C drugs, increased GP prescription and prisons NSPs.

March 2015: Limited release of documents released in lead-up to NSW State Election, therefore no identifiable changes.

December 2014: The NSW Rural Health Plan, while not directly citing HNSW, was heavily influenced by the organisation's submission.

September 2014: Both the NSW Hepatitis B Strategy and Hepatitis C Strategy, released in September 2014 were influenced by multiple Hepatitis NSW submissions on both strategies during drafting.

The success of interventions on State Hepatitis B & C Strategies relied on variety of different expertise of Hepatitis NSW Board members, including clinicians, researchers and members of affected communities, who all provided input through submission process. The Silent Disease Final Report demonstrated the success of working closely in partnership with Hepatitis Australia and other State and Territory organisations in ensuring consistent messaging and advocay goals.

A consistency of message, including calling for increased access to NSPs, increased diagnosis for hepatitis B, and increased treatment rates for hepatitis B and C, across multiple submissions was essential.