A STEP CLOSER TO PrEP
With the game-changing HIV prevention treatment pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reportedly set to get the tick of approval from PBAC, the Turnbull Government must commit to making the medicine available to those who need it as soon as possible.
Reports indicate that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) will today confirm a positive recommendation for PrEP to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
This is extremely encouraging news and would be a massive step forward towards ending new HIV transmissions in Australia.
More than 1,000 Australians are still diagnosed with HIV every year, and in some areas we are going backwards. Shockingly, the rate of new infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities is now above the Australian average for the first time ever.
Making PrEP accessible to those who need it is critical to changing these trends – that’s why the Turnbull Government must not delay.
Listing PrEP would be a big step forward, but more will need to be done if Australia is to reach the goal of no new HIV infections by 2020.
Labor is committed to renewing the effort to end HIV transmissions in Australia – that’s why we committed $53 million to step up the fight against the disease. Critically, this involves funding efforts to target hidden populations who aren’t being reached by current health promotion activities.
We have the knowledge to end new HIV transmissions in Australia – now we need to equip our experts with the tools to do so.