The state government have launched Western Australia’s first pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) trial this week.
The trial, entitled PrEPIT WA, will enable up to 2,000 people at risk of HIV to obtain PrEP free of charge from four local clinics; The M Clinic, GP on Beaufort, Royal Perth Hospital Sexual Health Clinic and Fremantle Hospital’s South Terrace Clinic.
Regional Western Australians will also be able to access PrEPIT WA through Telehealth at RPH’s Sexual Health Clinic.
PrEP medications are currently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and are to be considered for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) next month.
Should PrEP be entered into the PBS, PrEP it participants will be able to remove themselves from the trial and obtain the treatment from their local pharmacy.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Roger Cook, says he is pleased that the government can provide free access for at risk Western Australians.
“Advances in science have shown that HIV can be prevented through the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis,” Cook said.
“Despite an overall decline in HIV notifications in recent time, WA has seen the highest number of HIV notifications on record over the past few years.”
“It is imperative that we do everything we can to reduce these rates, as we work towards out goal to virtually eliminate HIV transmission by 2020.”
Appointments for PrEPIT WA are now available. Head to WAAIDS.com or PrEPIT-WAstudy.org.au for more information.
OIP Staff
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