PrEPX
PrEPX is a research study that is examining how expanding the use of PrEP impacts the rates of new HIV infections in Victoria. PrEPX will close enrolments in Victoria on March 31.
PrEP became available on PBS from April 1 and is now accessible through your regular GP or sexual health doctor. For people accessing PrEPX post April 1, you can see your GP to get a normal script, as the study will have completed.
There will be a difference in the cost of PrEP as you will need to pay a co-payment for each script. If you have any questions about finding a GP to access PrEP please contact us on 9076 2940.
This study has expanded into South Australia and Tasmania:
What is the PrEPX Study?
PrEPX is a new study sponsored by the Victorian Government, Alfred Health and the Victorian AIDS Council. Its aim is to examine the impact of expanding the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on the rates of new HIV infections in Victoria.
PrEP is the use of medication to prevent HIV infection in people who are at high risk. This study will offer PrEP to up to 3,200 people at high risk of HIV infection. The study was approved by the Alfred Health Human Ethics Committee.
Demand for the study has been much higher than anticipated and the study has now reached the initial enrolment cap for people in living in Melbourne. Additional funding from the Victorian AIDS Council has allowed the study to take 600 people off the waiting list.
Criteria for the study
All people regardless of sexual orientation or gender are eligible for the study. PrEPX will enrol people whose sexual or injecting drug use activities means there is a high risk of acquiring HIV infection. This level of risk is defined through discussions with doctors, nurses or peer workers.
Eligibility for this study also requires participants to:
- have a Medicare card
- be over the age of 18 years
- be willing and able to provide written informed consent
- have documentation of an HIV negative test performed at the screening visit
- have a kidney function blood test result that supports taking generic Truvada
- be able to provide a street address and/or telephone number and/or email address so you can be contacted during the period of the demonstration project
Information about PrEP
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a once-a-day medication for people who do not have HIV, to reduce their risk of becoming infected with HIV. It is recommended that PrEP is taken every day to effectively reduce the risk. Learn more about PrEP.
Where can I enrol in the PrEPX Study?
Metropolitan
The PrEPX study is now fully enrolled in Melbourne.
To express interest in enrolling in this study you must register on our waiting list.
Please note: the waiting list does not guarantee a place in the study.
Study sites in metropolitan Melbourne are:
- Northside Clinic
- Centre Clinic
- Pronto!
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
- The Alfred
- Prahran Market Clinic
- ERA Health
Some of these clinics bulk-bill, others will charge their standard clinic consultation fee. Please confirm this at the time of booking.
If you are on the waiting list and want to start PrEP, another option available is to speak with your GP or the PrEPX study team about accessing generic PrEP in the community. PrEPaccessNOW has information about how to do this.
If you have further enquiries about the waiting list or PrEP place contact the PrEPX study at The Alfred.
Rural and Regional Victoria
We have expanded the study into several rural and regional sites across Victoria. These include:
- Ballarat: Ballarat Sexual Health Clinic, Ballarat Community Health Centre (existing clients can book in online, new clients to the service need to ring the clinic, Phone: (03) 5338 4500)
- Bendigo Community Health Service Sexual Health Clinic - Alfred monthly outreach clinic (contact for bookings, Phone: (03) 5448 1600)
- Geelong Sexual Health Clinic (contact the PrEPX study to access this clinic)
- Mildura: Mildura Hospital Alfred Outreach Clinic – (contact the PrEPX study to access this clinic)
- Moe: Dr Shane Robbins (contact the PrEPX study to access the clinic)
- Morwell: Dr Shane Robbins (contact the PrEPX study to access this clinic)
- Sale: Sale Hospital Alfred Outreach Clinic – (contact the PrEPX study to access this clinic)
- Shepparton: Dr Alan Wallace – (contact the PrEPX study to access this clinic if you are not an existing patient of Dr Wallace)
- Wodonga Clinic 35 (contact the PrEPX study to access this clinic)
If you live in rural or regional Victoria and would like to access PrEPX locally, email us.
Where can I access PrEP?
We have established five community pharmacies in addition to The Alfred’s Clinical Trials Pharmacy, near the main study sites where you can take your study script to pick up your PrEP.
Only Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic (MSHC) PrEPX patients can access the pharmacy at MSHC.
A PBS co-payment is in place for PrEPX medication.
Costs:
- Concession: $6.40
- Non-concession: $39.50
In the study this cost will cover three month’s supply. These charges will also exist at MSHC pharmacy.
Resources
Related service
Victorian HIV Service
The Alfred provides a statewide HIV service, which provides comprehensive care for Victorians affected by or infected with HIV. This ranges from acute care and chronic illness management, to health maintenance, prevention and health promotion.
