VHMC

PrEP (Truvada®) is now available on the PBS

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HIV Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) will now be more financially accessible to men who have sex with men who are at risk of HIV transmission. The HIV PrEP drug Truvada® (tenofovir with emtricitabine) will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from the 1st April 2018.

PrEP is the regular use of HIV medication taken as a once-daily pill by HIV negative people at high risk of HIV to prevent HIV infection. Clinical trials have shown that that PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV transmission. Our general practitioners (GPs) will now to be able to prescribe PrEP to an Australian resident who holds a current Medicare card. A PrEP script can then be dispensed from your local chemist. The PBS listing will drop the price of a PrEP script to $39.50 a month for general patients and $6.40 a month for concession card holders.

GPs Dr Damien Polioudakis and Dr Christopher Kearney are happy to provide sexual health consultations regarding PrEP and STI screening to eligible patients. We request that you make a long (double) appointments for your first consultation should you wish to discuss your eligibility for PrEP.

Victoria Harbour Medical Centre is an inclusive general practice. We continue to offer a range of medical and allied health services to our local LGBTIQ community. If you have any questions relating to our services please call us on (03) 9629 1414.