Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were listed on the PBS S85 (General Schedule) from 1 March 2016.
To prescribe these DAAs, medical practitioners who are not experienced in hepatitis C (HCV) treatment
are required to consult with a specialist prior to initiation of therapy.

The REACH-C study was established by the Kirby Institute in collaboration with ASHM as a national
prospective multi-centre observational cohort study which aimed to evaluate the uptake and real-world
outcomes of direct anti-viral therapy for HCV in Australia. An online form was developed by ASHM and
the Kirby Institute that medical practitioners could complete to gain approval to initiate DAA therapy.
The REACH-C study has been completed; however, ASHM is continuing to provide this service with the
continued support of specialists, highly experienced in HCV treatment.

How to participate

REACH-C is a national program open to all clinicians seeking support to prescribe HCV treatment.
The REACH-C online form continues to require demographic and clinical information and is located on
the website here.
The specialist will either approve the treatment choice or request further information.
The anticipated turnaround for specialist approval via the REACH-C online form is 24 hours.

Full prescriber details are required so that specialist approval can be advised and/or contact made
to request further information. Once the required data is entered into the online form, you will need
to ensure you select the submit form button at the bottom of the form.

To protect patient privacy, patient initials are no longer required; rather, a Client ID, in the format
of ASHM-XXXXX, will be automatically generated.

Please note, there is a content question at the bottom of the REACH-C form, to ensure that patients are
informed that their de-identified information is being provided through the REACH-C service for the
treatment guidance from a specialist.

Specialist Approval will be provided by:

• Prof Greg Dore (MBBS, BSc, MPH, PhD) is an infectious diseases physician and clinical
  academic at St Vincent’s Hospital. Greg is Head of the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Programme at
  the Kirby Institute, UNSW.

• A/Prof Gail Matthews (MBChB, MRCP (UK), FRACP, PhD) is an infectious diseases physician
  and clinical academic at St Vincent’s Hospital. Gail is Associate Professor of the Viral Hepatitis
  Clinical Research Programme at the Kirby Institute, UNSW.

If you would like any more information about the online form and the specialist approval process,
please contact [email protected].

Don’t forget to bookmark the REACH-C Form tab at the top of your screen before you leave this site,
so you can come back to the form at any time.