8632 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

8632 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the last quarter (September – December 2023) toward the objective ‘Reduce barriers to access to hepatitis C treatments in the community’ under ‘Focus area 5: Integration and access to care’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that, during the September – December 2023 quarter, Health New Zealand worked with the Nursing Council, Pharmacy Council, and Pharmac to develop training, processes and guidance that would allow nurses and pharmacists to supply the Hepatitis C treatment drug, Maviret. This work is part of a drive to increase community access to hepatitis C treatment, and follows Medsafe reclassifying Maviret to allow it to be supplied without prescription by nurses and pharmacists with appropriate training.