The recommendation to list PrEP on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has been warmly welcomed by NSW’s leading HIV and LGBTI health organisation, ACON.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) today has recommended the listing of PrEP on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), paving the way for national access to the highly effective HIV prevention drug. This follows months of negotiation between PBAC and the three sponsoring companies, after a decision was initially deferred in August 2017.

“This is an incredibly important outcome and we welcome the PBAC decision. It’s a significant step towards providing a powerful tool to those at risk of acquiring HIV to take control of their health,” said ACON President Dr Justin Koonin.

PrEP is an antiretroviral treatment taken by HIV negative people at high risk of acquiring HIV to prevent infection. Studies have shown that PrEP is extremely effective, and recent demonstration projects in Australia, such as the Expanded PrEP Implementation in Communities in NSW (EPIC-NSW) study, have shown PrEP is a desirable prevention option for people at risk of acquiring HIV.

PrEP was approved by the Therapeutics Goods Administration in May 2016, but without federal subsidy, the proven technology remains too expensive for most people. A listing on PBS will bring PrEP within reach of many across Australia.

“We know that PrEP works. What we need now is to ensure that those who would benefit most from it are able to access it in an affordable way.  Our community has demonstrated that it is ready to incorporate PrEP into their lives as part of the range of HIV prevention options that we now have available.  As a community that is working towards ending new HIV transmissions, this step is historically significant,” Dr Koonin said.

The Australia Government has already committed to honouring PBAC’s recommendation in a timely manner.

“There are three new HIV diagnoses each day in Australia and we expect the Commonwealth will now move quickly to list PrEP on the PBS. Prevention of HIV is much cheaper than a lifetime of treatment and it makes good sense to have this medicine available to all who need it,” Dr Koonin added.

“With subsidisation, the combined effect of PrEP use along with our communities’ increasing HIV testing rates and stronger uptake of treatment among people living with HIV, we may be able to deliver the biggest reduction in HIV transmission rates in NSW for more than three decades. Listing of PrEP on the PBS will go a very long way in helping us achieve our goal of virtually ending HIV transmissions by 2020.”

NSW has led the way nationally – and internationally – with the success of the EPIC-NSW study, which has seen a remarkable level of demand since it was launched in March 2016. In NSW, over 8000 people most at-risk of acquiring HIV are being protected by PrEP.

“We have seen strong leadership on this issue in NSW from the NSW Government and NSW health system. We are delighted with this announcement and eagerly anticipate leadership from the Australian Government to list PrEP in line with this recommendation expeditiously,” Dr Koonin added.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said that PrEP access is one of the key missing pieces in a comprehensive and contemporary response to HIV.

“The true potential of wide-spread access to PrEP will only be realised if we continue to maintain our unwavering commitment to increasing the sexual health literacy of gay and other men who have sex with men, increasing rates of HIV testing, earlier initiation of treatment for those than need it, and a sustained attack on stigma and discrimination. PrEP is a game changer, but on its own is insufficient so we welcome this announcement on the back of broader and sustained investment in HIV prevention, treatment and support,” Mr Parkhill said.

“For the more than 8,000 people enrolled in the EPIC-NSW study, the message is to continue taking and accessing your PrEP as usual – more information will be available in the coming weeks and months, and you will receive communication about any changes soon,” Mr Parkhill concluded.

ENDS

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: dalexander@acon.org.au T: +61 (02) 9206 2044

M: +61 0428 477 042

Nick Lucchinelli, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations

E: nick@hortonadvisory.com.au T: +61 0422 229 032