Pharmacy Daily | Australia’s liver burden

LIVER disease now affects more than six million Australians according to a new report. The Economic Cost and Health Burden of Liver Disease in Australia report was produced by Deloitte Access Economics, and found that in addition to affecting over a quarter of the population liver disease equates to a staggering annual cost burden of $50.7 billion. “With the number of Australians with liver disease reaching over eight million by 2030 it is imperative we act quickly,” said report contributor Associate Professor Amany Zekry, liver specialist at St George Hospital. “It is responsible for one quarter of all organ transplants and if left untreated, results in liver cancer – our fastest growing form of cancer in Australia. “We can’t ignore it any more - liver disease must receive prompt attention and urgent recognition as a chronic condition and national health priority,” she added. According to the report, 5.5m Aussies now have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, making it Australia’s most prevalent form of liver disease. Meanwhile, the report also noted that viral hepatitis (including chronic hepatitis B and C) is the second most common form of liver disease affecting more than 500,000 Aussies, whilst productivity impact of liver diseases was found to be $4.2b. Of this figure, $2.1b in productivity losses were associated with lower employment participation, and absenteeism resulted in an additional cost of $207m. The report also noted that informal care for people with liver diseases is often undertaken by family members or friends and represents a economic opportunity cost of approximately $259m. Other major findings of the report included the fact that viral hepatitis is the main contributor to the estimated $432m health costs for treating liver diseases each year in Australia. Meanwhile the report calls for the establishment of a national database for chronic liver diseases, as well as the development of a model liver clinic that delivers multidisciplinary care to patients. In addition, the report calls for nurse-led community based model of care in collaboration with primary care physicians and integrated into hospital based liver centres; and national liver cancer screening program for the 70,000 Australians in high risk groups. “Liver damage, in many cases, is attributable to one or more of three major public health issues – high-fat diet, alcohol and viral hepatitis,” said study contributor Professor Geoff McCaughan, Head of the National Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. “Many forms of liver disease are therefore preventable and many more, if detected early, can be treated effectively. “Prompt and effective action will significantly reduce the financial, physical and emotional burden of this challenging disease,” he added.

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