The highly effective drug responsible for major advances in HIV prevention is now available to Medicare-ineligible people at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) and The Alfred.
International students and other temporary visa holders now have free access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of a broader initiative to wipe out HIV transmission in Australia.
Director of MSHC, Prof Jason Ong, said extending access to PrEP both protects individuals from HIV and strengthens the health of the wider community.
“When PrEP became more accessible for people with Medicare in 2018, HIV notifications fell dramatically,” Prof Ong said. “However, among overseas-born people and other Medicare-ineligible communities, notifications remained steady or increased. Our clinics at The Alfred and MSHC are part of the Victorian PrEP Program, a statewide service that also includes other key metro, rural and regional locations to help address this crucial gap in HIV prevention.”
Interim Clinical Service Director of Infectious Diseases at The Alfred, Brian Price, said the expanded access to PrEP includes consultations, pathology tests and medication.
“We’re also offering teleconsultations to ensure distance is not a barrier,” Brian said.
Developed for people who could benefit most from HIV prevention, including men who have sex with men and sexual partners of people with untreated HIV, PrEP is 99 percent effective at reducing HIV transmission. It can be taken daily or around the time of potential HIV exposure to prevent infection.
The services at MSHC and The Alfred are expected to particularly benefit international students, many of whom face complex barriers to accessing sexual healthcare, including concerns about confidentiality and navigating Australia’s healthcare system.
Brian Price said early demand for the program has been strong, with referrals already coming through largely via word of mouth.
“It’s really encouraging to see that people are finding out about our service and taking up the opportunity to start PrEP,” Brian said. “The more people we can arm with PrEP, the better our overall health outcomes will be.”
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