PrEP

What is PrEP?  

PrEP is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It’s a preventive medication to protect against HIV transmission. People who are HIV-negative can take PrEP to reduce their risk of getting HIV.  Many studies have confirmed that PrEP is more than 99% effective at preventing HIV transmission when taken as directed. However, PrEP doesn’t protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To help prevent STIs, use condoms. PrEP does not affect someone’s hormones and from this perspective is safe for someone who is choosing hormonal affirmation.  

Who’s eligible?  

People at risk of HIV are eligible for PrEP. This includes people who have sexual partners who are at high risk of HIV, have an unknown HIV status, or people from countries with a high incidence of HIV. 

How do I use PrEP? 

There are two methods to take PrEP, which both involve the same pills taken in different ways. Both options, when used correctly, provide equally high levels of protection from HIV. Chat with your doctor to find out which option for PrEP suits you best. 

  • Daily PrEP: Involves taking one pill every day.  
  • On-demand PrEP**: Involves taking two tablets 2 to 24 hours before sex, one tablet 24 hours after the double dose, and then another single pill 48 hours after the double dose. If you have sex over several days, keep taking one tablet per day until you have two days without sex, still covered by PrEP. Sticking to this dosing regimen is crucial if you’re taking PrEP on-demand. This provides HIV protection for a short term, such as a weekend or a short holiday. 

**The Australian PrEP Guidelines currently only recommend on-demand PrEP for cis-gender men who have sex with men.  To find out if this is appropriate for you and your sexual practices, talk to your healthcare provider or local sexual health clinic. 

How Can I Get PrEP? 

PrEP is available in Australia with a prescription. That prescription needs to come from a General Practitioner (GP) or at a sexual health clinic after a full sexual health screening. You need to get a full sexual health test (testing for HIV and STIs) every three months to get a script for PrEP. PrEP is available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means anyone in Australia with a Medicare card can get PrEP with a prescription from a doctor for the standard PBS co-payment price per month – currently $41 for a 30-day supply or $6.60 with a concession card.  

If you don’t have a Medicare card, you can personally import PrEP from an online pharmacy with a prescription from your doctor. The same generic medication can be cheaper. You can find out more by visiting the PAN website. 

Getting access to PrEP isn’t easy for everyone. Meridian can support your access to the Green Cross Pharmacy PrEP Coupon Program. If you find the cost of importing your own PrEP or filling a prescription in Australia prohibitive for any reason, this program can provide a coupon for a free supply of PrEP for 3 months upon application. 

This program might be for you if: 

  • you are not eligible for Medicare, 
  • you are an overseas student, 
  • you are experiencing some financial stress. 

To access this program, you will need a current prescription from your doctor or clinic. Then take a photo or scan your script and email it to [email protected]. If you have a student card, copy or scan that too. In the email write briefly why you need support to access PrEP. 

If you have any questions, contact Meridian on 02 6257 2855 or [email protected].  

 

PEP 

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of medications that helps prevent HIV infection after possible exposure. If you think that you have been exposed to HIV, it’s important that you act sooner rather than later. To check your eligibility for PEP, talk to a healthcare provider.  

The sooner someone starts PEP, the better, but it must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV. 

Reasons to take PEP may include: 

  • Having anal/vaginal sex without a condom when you’re not using PrEP, with someone whose HIV status you do not know 
  • Having anal/vaginal sex without a condom with someone who is HIV positive and does not have an undetectable viral load 
  • A condom or barrier protection breaking or slipping during sex 
  • Sharing injecting equipment 

 

You can access PEP from Emergency Departments, and during business hours at some sexual health centres. 

PEP is not a cure for HIV. PEP can prevent HIV from establishing itself in the body when a course of PEP is started within 72 hours after a possible exposure. It’s encouraged that folks act as soon as possible to get PEP to give it the best chance of working properly. 

If you find that you need to access PEP more than once, you might want to consider PrEP. 

 

U=U 

In the world of HIV and sexual health, there’s something called U=U, or Undetectable = Untransmissible. It means that if someone living with HIV keeps an undetectable viral load (UVL) for six months or more, they won’t pass the virus on during sex, even without using condoms. 

  • This is often talked about as “Undetectable Equals Untransmissible” or U=U.  
  • U=U means a person living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load cannot pass on HIV to their sexual partners. 
  • U=U has been confirmed by all the available research on the topic over the past 15 years.  
  • Major health organisations support U=U, including the World Health Organisation, UNAIDS, Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM), Health Equity Matters, and the National Association of People Living with HIV Australia (NAPWHA). 

U=U offers a clear path to reducing the risk of passing on HIV. It’s a positive step, a daily commitment to health, and a sign of progress in ending HIV transmission. 

For HIV-negative people: 

U=U removes the risk of HIV transmission from people living with HIV who are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load. 

For HIV-positive people: 

U=U is not just about preventing HIV transmission; it’s about making sure everyone can enjoy a full and healthy life, allowing your immune system to keep protecting you from everyday infections. While it doesn’t protect against other STIs, it’s a big step forward in HIV prevention. Keeping an undetectable viral load is as simple as taking your treatment and checking in with a specialist every few months. It’s not a cure, but it’s a great way for people living with HIV to live healthy lives. 

Remember: U=U doesn’t protect you from other STIs, so make sure you’re using other methods of protection if you don’t know someone’s STI status. 

Let’s stay informed and support each other in making choices that contribute to a healthier and safer future!