...

Thousands of Victorians Accessing PrEP While Federal Government Procrastinates

By: Russell Kennedy.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the latest anti-retroviral medication which (when taken daily) can prevent HIV infection developing with a success rate of 96-98%. The treatment was trialled in Victoria’s first study into HIV prevention medication whereby over 1300 Victorians now access the medication.

Following the success of the first study, the Victorian Government launched PrEPX on 29 August 2016. PrEPX is a 20-month long study whereby 2600 people will receive PrEP through a partnership between the Victorian Government, Alfred Health and the Victorian AIDS Council. The Victorian Government will contribute $1.4 million towards the study.

As at the end of August, over 1300 Victorians had already signed up to the new study. The Victorian Government is calling for the Federal Government to review their decision against listing Truvada – approved PrEP medication – on the PBS and to take action in the interim to create a cost-effective solution for high risk patients. Read more.