GPs can now prescribe hepatitis B and C medicines without accreditation
01 Sep 2026
From 1 September 2026, prescriber accreditation requirements have been removed for hepatitis B and hepatitis C medicines supplied through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) program.
Before the change, GPs and authorised nurse practitioners (NPs) needed to be accredited to prescribe hepatitis B and C medicines under the Section 100 HSD program and have those medicines subsidised through the PBS.
Under the new arrangements:
- GPs and authorised NPs can prescribe PBS-subsidised hepatitis B medicines for eligible patients, including both starting and ongoing treatment.
- Authorised NPs can prescribe PBS-subsidised hepatitis C medicines for eligible patients receiving treatment in hospital, alongside medical practitioners.
- Prescriber education and training programs can still be completed, but accreditation is no longer a condition for PBS subsidy.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said the change is expected to improve access to treatment, particularly for people living in regional, rural and remote areas.
The change follows long-standing calls from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to expand GPs’ ability to manage hepatitis B and C.
In its 2023 submission on Australia’s national hepatitis strategies, the RACGP said accreditation requirements could create a barrier to care. It also highlighted concerns that these requirements could contribute to the underuse of curative hepatitis C medicines.
Dr Sara Whitburn, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Sexual Health Medicine, said removing the accreditation requirement could reduce delays in starting treatment.
She said GPs would continue to access education, clinical guidance and other resources to support the safe management of hepatitis B and C.
Hepatitis Australia Chief Executive Lucy Clynes also welcomed the change, saying simpler access could help people with hepatitis B receive care from GPs they already know and trust.
In 2023, an estimated 219,800 people in Australia were living with chronic hepatitis B, while an estimated 68,890 people were living with chronic hepatitis C.
GPs can now prescribe hepatitis B and C medicines without accreditation
Source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Removal of prescriber accreditation requirements under the PBS Highly Specialised Drugs Program.