So you're mentally prepared to start treatment. But what if your GP isn't? Or your local pharmacist is not set up to fill your script?

The new hepatitis C medicines have encouraged more people to seek treatment than ever before.

It has been reported that in the first three weeks of March, over three and a half thousand Australians have started hepatitis C treatment.

Unfortunately, some people have found that their GPs didn't seem as prepared as they were.

One Hepatitis SA client went to his GP armed with a stack of information for prescribers, but to his disappointment, the doctor said it was too much for the him (the doctor) to take on.

This is just one of a few stumbling blocks faced by people navigating this new hepatitis C treatment pathway. Below are simple steps you can take to get around them.

My GP won't prescribe

Your GP may not want to write a script for you for a number of reasons.

They may not be familiar with the new medicines and treatment protocols and feel that it would be irresponsible to prescribe under those circumstances. They may be prepared to do so in the future but have no capacity to acquire all that new information now.

Or they may feel that the specialist who has been monitoring your condition over the years is the more appropriate person to treat you. Whatever the reason, if you can't get a prescription from your GP, you can:

• Ask your GP if there is another doctor in the practice who is prepared to prescribe and oversee your treatment.
• Call Hepatitis SA to get the names of GPs who are ready to prescribe.
• If you have not been in regular care, speak to the viral hepatitis nurse in your metropolitan area. They will make sure you get all the necessary tests, and help you get onto treatment as quickly as possible. The nurses numbers are: 
  • Central - 0423 782 415
  • Northern - 0401 717 971
  • Southern - 0466 777 876

My local pharmacy won't fill my script

Under the Community Pharmacy Agreement (CPA), approved pharmacists who dispense medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) have to purchase the drugs from wholesalers and are reimbursed for them only after the medicines have been dispensed.

Low-volume high-cost medicines like the hepatitis C drugs represent a significant investment for pharmacies, especially the smaller establishments. Most pharmacies will not hold these medicines in stock.

If your pharmacy is unable to fill your prescription, it does not necessarily mean that they will not do it. It could simply mean they are unable to do it immediately. Another thing to remember is that not all pharmacists are approved to supply PBS medicines. When getting your script filled at your community pharmacy:

• Speak to the pharmacist to see if they would order the medicine in for you. If they would, remember that a 24-72 hour wait is normal.
• If your pharmacist is unable to order the medicines in for you, call Hepatitis SA (1800 437 222) to get names of community pharmacists who are ready to do so.
• If you live in a rural area, and your local pharmacy is not prepared to order the medicine for you, speak to your GP to see if arrangements can be made for the medicines to be dispensed from the local hospital or sent from a metropolitan pharmacy.

Plan ahead

If you have already started treatment, and are getting your medicine from a community pharmacy, speak to your pharmacist a week before you need to fill your repeat prescription. Due to delivery schedules, some pharmacists may need up to five days from the time you present your script to the time the drug arrives. To get the best possible outcomes from your treatment, it is important that there be no break i.e. days when you are not taking the DAAs.

My next specialist appointment is six months away

Your next appointment with your specialist is six months away but you want to start treatment now. What can you do?

There is no one answer for everyone. There are many factors to consider and some people's situations are more complex than others.

If you are impatient to start treatment and are not sure if you need to wait till you next see your specialist, speak to your viral hepatitis nurse. You can also speak to your GP, or contact Hepatitis SA on 1800 437 222 to discuss your situation.

Summary

GPs and pharmacists have their own capacities to consider. Their inability to write or fill a script should not be construed as discrimination. If you can't get a prescription from your GP or if your local pharmacist is unable to fill your prescription, there are alternatives.

• Call the Hepatitis Helpline to get names of other GPs or pharmacists.
• Call the viral hepatitis nurses to discuss your situation.
• Come to a support group or arrange for a face to face session to discuss your issues.