HIV PrEP available on PBS in Australia
The Federal Health Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt has announced a landmark decision in HIV prevention in approving HIV-prevention drugs – tenofovir with emtricitabine, known as PrEP – on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 April, thereby providing broader access for any doctor or general practitioner to be able prescribe PrEP to an Australian resident who holds a current Medicare card.
"The public health benefits are clear, undeniable and transformative benefiting individuals at medium — to high-risk of HIV infection and towards driving a substantial reduction in HIV transmissions in Australia,” said ASHM President, Associate Professor Bloch. “With this announcement of public subsidy – now is the time to support transition from more controlled clinical trial environments to real-world broad access,” continued Dr Bloch referring to the successful rollout of demonstration PrEP trials that have over two years recruited more than 14,000 participants across Australia."
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