Hepatitis C Council of NSW Inc
Administration:
02 9332 1853
02 9332 1730 (fax)
Hep C Helpline:
02 9332 1599 (Sydney callers)
1800 803 990 (Other NSW callers)
PO Box 432 DARLINGHURST NSW 1300 AUSTRALIA
349 Crown Street SURRY HILLS, Sydney NSW
sloveday@hepatitisc.org.au
Accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC)
A not-for-profit health promotion charity funded by the NSW Health Department
ABN 30 408 095 245 Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible
Media Release
Embargoed until 12:01am 22 October 2009
50 per cent of injections are still done with an unsterile
syringe, Australian study reveals.
30 million needles and syringes distributed every year in Australia over the past
decade have ensured that 97,000 hepatitis C infections have been averted, yet 50 per
cent of all injections are still with an unsterile syringe, proof the system is failing
Australians.
The findings of the latest report, released today by researchers at UNSW’s National
Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Return on Investment 2:
Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of needle and syringe programs in Australia,¹
demonstrate that an increase in funding of needle and syringe programs is needed to
curb the hepatitis C epidemic.
“At present, approximately 50 per cent of all injections are with an unsterile syringe,
yet the reality is people who inject drugs are unlikely to use another person’s injecting
equipment if they have convenient access to sterile needles and syringes,” said
Stuart Loveday, Executive Officer, Hepatitis C Council of NSW.
"The system is failing Australians. The supply of injecting equipment is currently
limited and not meeting the demand, governments must invest in expanding needle
and syringe programs as this report clearly demonstrates the benefits to both
individuals and the economy".
Needle and syringe programs save lives, and are not only cost-effective, but cost-
saving. For every dollar invested, four dollars are returned, as life threatening
hepatitis C and HIV infections and associated healthcare costs are averted.
“The evidence is clear. Australia needs to invest further in needle and syringe
programs, and expand their reach, as 10,000 new hepatitis C infections each year is
too many,” said Loveday.
“There is room to expand the needle and syringe program.”
“The $243 million spent on needle and syringe programs from 2000-2009 by the
Federal and State governments, whilst saving $1,280 million in averted healthcare
costs nationwide, could be bettered,” said Loveday.
1
The report was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
“A separate study has demonstrated that if there were a doubling of the amount of
injecting equipment distributed, effectively decreasing the number of times each
syringe is shared, new hepatitis C infections would be halved.”
For further information or to co-ordinate an interview with available
spokespeople please contact:
Rachel Stanton
Phone: 02 6232 4257 / 0402 463 764
rachel@hepatitisaustralia.com
Note:
can call the national infoline, 1300 HEP ABC (1300 437 222).
NEWS 
