Retreatment trends

Retreatment

Of 13456 retreatments occurring during 2016 to 2023, 60% (n=8012) were estimated for reinfection and 40% (n=5453) for treatment failure. Quarterly trends in retreatments for reinfection and treatment failure are illustrated in Figure 3.

Retreatment for treatment failure

The number of retreatment initiations for treatment failure increased between the first and second quarters of 2019, corresponding to when sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir was listed on the PBS in April 2019. Since 2021, the trend in number of retreatments for treatment failure has stabilised. The number of retreatments for treatment failure was 605 in 2023, increasing to 705 in 2023. Numbers of retreatments and multiple treatments for treatment failure are illustrated in Figure 4A.

Retreatment for reinfection

An increasing trend in retreatments for reinfection was observed. The deceleration in retreatment for reinfection during 2020-2021 was followed by a distinct acceleration from 2022. The recent increases in retreatment for reinfection may be due to increased HCV testing and detection following COVID-19 restrictions. Numbers of retreatments and multiple retreatments for reinfection are illustrated in Figure 4.