{"id":5953,"date":"2025-03-20T09:23:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T23:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/?p=5953"},"modified":"2025-05-16T11:54:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T02:24:07","slug":"need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.gov.au\/medicinestatus\/document\/1153.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recently rejected<\/a> an application for a new drug, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bulevirtide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bulevirtide<\/a>, to be available at subsidised rates for treatment of hepatitis D, despite submissions from community and health organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hepatitis D is the most severe form of viral hepatitis carrying with it a 70\u201380 per cent risk of cirrhosis in five to ten years, and liver cancer within ten years. It is uncommon in Australia, and only infects people already living with hepatitis B, putting them at a significantly higher risk of serious disease and death. About a quarter of people who develop cirrhosis from hepatitis D will die of liver failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hepatitis D virus can only live in people already infected with hepatitis B, because it doesn\u2019t have its own cellular \u201cmachinery\u201d for reproduction, and relies on making use of that provided by the cells of hepatitis B. It is the smallest known pathogenic virus in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hepatitis D is spread when infectious body fluids (blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluid) come into contact with body tissues beneath the skin (for example, through needle punctures or broken skin) or mucous membranes (the thin moist lining of many parts of the body such as the mouth, throat and genitals). Hepatitis B vaccination will prevent both hepatitis B and hepatitis D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Australia, <a href=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/about-hepatitis\/hepatitis-b\/about-hepatitis-b\/#hbprevalence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hepatitis B prevalence<\/a> is highest among migrant communities from countries or regions of higher prevalence, as well as First Nations communities. It is estimated that there are around 12,000 South Australians living with hepatitis B. From 2020 to 2024 an average of 232 cases of hepatitis B and seven cases of hepatitis B and D co-infection were notified per year in South Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d736866e0f8&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d736866e0f8\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"636\" height=\"424\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/geargodz-iStock-web.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/geargodz-iStock-web.jpg 636w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/geargodz-iStock-web-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/geargodz-iStock-web-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: geargodz via iStock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We were significantly behind in our efforts to reach the 2022 national hepatitis B targets for diagnosis and linkage to care, and also behind in reaching 2030 global elimination targets. It is likely that hepatitis D is also under-diagnosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d736866e64e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d736866e64e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"607\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gr2_lrg-1200x607.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5954\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gr2_lrg-1200x607.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gr2_lrg-600x304.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gr2_lrg-300x152.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gr2_lrg-768x389.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gr2_lrg-1536x777.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gr2_lrg-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From &#8216;Hepatitis D: Looking Back, Looking Forward, Seeing the Reward and the Promise&#8217; by Theo Heller et al, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cghjournal.org\/article\/S1542-3565%2823%2900322-1\/fulltext#fig3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The current treatment options for hepatitis B\/hepatitis D chronic infection are limited, and need to be carefully discussed with a person\u2019s treating doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A new targeted treatment, bulevirtide, has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia. It has a much higher efficacy and is more well tolerated than the current treatment options. Buleviritide works by blocking the hepatitis D virus\u2019s access to regenerated liver cells, letting the immune system eliminate infected cells. This can result in prevention of viral replication, and subsequent reduction in inflammation and associated liver damage. However, Buleviritide is not currently approved for subsidised access through the PBS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d736866ebac&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d736866ebac\" class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"560\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Hepcludex-Bulevirtide.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5955\" style=\"width:376px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Hepcludex-Bulevirtide.jpg 560w, https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Hepcludex-Bulevirtide-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hepcludex, the brand name for bulevirtide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering the fact that those most affected by hepatitis B\u2014and therefore vulnerable to hepatitis D\u2014already face barriers to healthcare, removing the cost barrier to accessing this more effective treatment is surely vital to managing this deadly form of hepatitis. Its rejection for listing on the PBS is no doubt disappointing to those in the sector who have lobbied for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The peak body for health professionals in the field, ASHM, recommends that people living with hepatitis B automatically receive a hepatitis D antibody test\u2014reflex testing is a straightforward and simple way to do this\u2014and anyone testing positive should then have a hepatitis D PCR test to confirm active infection and inform clinical care. For those who commence treatment, twice-yearly monitoring via hepatitis D PCR tests is then extremely important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, the cost of the medication itself is just one of the barriers to clinical management faced by people living with hepatitis D. We also need to remove the costs associated with the hepatitis D PCR tests, which are an essential component of determining eligibility to commence treatment, and to monitor the clinical benefits, and consequently the duration, of treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hepatitis SA has joined the call for action on hepatitis B and D. Improving access to testing and guideline-based care including subsidised, effective treatments is key to improving outcomes for people living with hepatitis B and D co-infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See our special issue on Hepatitis D <a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/hepccsa\/docs\/hcn76\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>ASHM (2020). National Hepatitis B Testing Policy v 1.2, Commonwealth of Australia, Barton. ACT.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/testingportal.ashm.org.au\/files\/ASHM_TestingPolicy_2020_HepatitisB_07_2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/testingportal.ashm.org.au\/files\/ASHM_TestingPolicy_2020_HepatitisB_07_2.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has recently rejected an application for a new drug, bulevirtide, to be available at subsidised rates for treatment of hepatitis D, despite submissions from &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5956,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,13],"tags":[36,39,112],"issue":[312],"ppma_author":[57],"class_list":["post-5953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-living-with-hepatitis","tag-hepatitis-elimination","tag-treatment","tag-hepatitis-d","issue-issue-105"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now | HepSA Community News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now | HepSA Community News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has recently rejected an application for a new drug, bulevirtide, to be available at subsidised rates for treatment of hepatitis D, despite submissions from &hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HepSA Community News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HepatitisSA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-19T23:53:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-16T02:24:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1408\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"704\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"James Morrison\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@hep_sa\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@hep_sa\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"James Morrison\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"James Morrison\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/person\/3feda06715ba8df1dc77b4e49ec55a22\"},\"headline\":\"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-19T23:53:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-16T02:24:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/\"},\"wordCount\":724,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png\",\"keywords\":[\"hepatitis elimination\",\"treatment\",\"Hepatitis D\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Community\",\"Living with Hepatitis\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/\",\"name\":\"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now | HepSA Community News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-03-19T23:53:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-16T02:24:07+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png\",\"width\":1408,\"height\":704},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/\",\"name\":\"HepSA Community News\",\"description\":\"Hepatitis news and views from South Australia\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Hepatitis SA\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/HepSA_rgb.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/HepSA_rgb.png\",\"width\":2025,\"height\":955,\"caption\":\"Hepatitis SA\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HepatitisSA\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/hep_sa\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/person\/3feda06715ba8df1dc77b4e49ec55a22\",\"name\":\"James Morrison\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d69f32b5a0ea16a47c5d6afd393ada55589647ea7047fc5689e381347e0913a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g4afbdf67692d4e3d98eb9d764d8811d0\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d69f32b5a0ea16a47c5d6afd393ada55589647ea7047fc5689e381347e0913a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d69f32b5a0ea16a47c5d6afd393ada55589647ea7047fc5689e381347e0913a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"James Morrison\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/author\/james-morrison\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now | HepSA Community News","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now | HepSA Community News","og_description":"The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has recently rejected an application for a new drug, bulevirtide, to be available at subsidised rates for treatment of hepatitis D, despite submissions from &hellip;","og_url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/","og_site_name":"HepSA Community News","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HepatitisSA","article_published_time":"2025-03-19T23:53:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-05-16T02:24:07+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1408,"height":704,"url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"James Morrison","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@hep_sa","twitter_site":"@hep_sa","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"James Morrison","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/"},"author":{"name":"James Morrison","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/person\/3feda06715ba8df1dc77b4e49ec55a22"},"headline":"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now","datePublished":"2025-03-19T23:53:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-05-16T02:24:07+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/"},"wordCount":724,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png","keywords":["hepatitis elimination","treatment","Hepatitis D"],"articleSection":["Community","Living with Hepatitis"],"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/","url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/","name":"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now | HepSA Community News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png","datePublished":"2025-03-19T23:53:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-05-16T02:24:07+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/freepik__the-letter-d-against-a-smoky-background__2771.png","width":1408,"height":704},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2025\/03\/need-to-act-on-hepatitis-d-now\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Need to Act on Hepatitis D Now"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#website","url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/","name":"HepSA Community News","description":"Hepatitis news and views from South Australia","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#organization","name":"Hepatitis SA","url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/HepSA_rgb.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/HepSA_rgb.png","width":2025,"height":955,"caption":"Hepatitis SA"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HepatitisSA","https:\/\/x.com\/hep_sa"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/#\/schema\/person\/3feda06715ba8df1dc77b4e49ec55a22","name":"James Morrison","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d69f32b5a0ea16a47c5d6afd393ada55589647ea7047fc5689e381347e0913a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g4afbdf67692d4e3d98eb9d764d8811d0","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d69f32b5a0ea16a47c5d6afd393ada55589647ea7047fc5689e381347e0913a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d69f32b5a0ea16a47c5d6afd393ada55589647ea7047fc5689e381347e0913a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"James Morrison"},"url":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/author\/james-morrison\/"}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":57,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"james-morrison","display_name":"James Morrison","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d69f32b5a0ea16a47c5d6afd393ada55589647ea7047fc5689e381347e0913a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5953"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5953\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6298,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5953\/revisions\/6298"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5953"},{"taxonomy":"issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue?post=5953"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}