69397 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

69397 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter April to June 2024 toward the objective ‘Improve access to and uptake of hepatitis C treatments’ under ‘Focus area 5: Integration and access to care’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that during the April to June 2024 quarter, treatment for hepatitis C in New Zealand has been reclassified from prescription only to availability without prescription through specially trained nurses and pharmacists working together. Two training modules were completed and endorsed by the Nursing Council and the Pharmacy Council, and training commenced during the quarter. This work was also presented at the New Zealand Hepatology Network and Nurses meeting in June.