Victorian PrEP Service
Providing PrEP clinics, and clinical & research leadership
The Alfred has led access to PrEP in Victoria through the VicPrEP Research Study. In 2016, we started the PrEPX Research Study which provided over 4000 people in Victoria access to PrEP. The study further expanded, providing access to PrEP in South Australia and Tasmania.
What we do
PrEP will become subsidised by the Government on 1 April 2018 and readily available through PBS. The Alfred will continue to play a leadership role in PrEP and our first priority is to successfully transition all those on the PrEPX study into accessiblity through the PBS.
We will continue to undertake and lead research in PrEP, through the X-Plore Study. This study will aim to follow consenting participants from the PrEPX study for a further 5 years, in order to measure longer term health outcomes.
We will continue to provide clinics at The Alfred and in our partner outreach services. We will lead a Victorian response to PrEP by supporting patients, health services, GPs, pharmacists and pathology service. This means we will:
- work closely with GPs and health services to support access to PrEP across Victoria
- provide an information and advice service for GPs and people seeking to find out where PrEP is available
- be a referral point for GPs who need specialist advice on PrEP
- provide clinical support to people who have complex health issues who seek to access PrEP
- offer second opinions to people who fall outside the clinical guidelines for PrEP to see if PrEP can be provided
What is 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.
Where can I access PrEP?
PrEP is able to be prescribed by any GP. As is a new treatment some GPs may be reluctant to prescribe it and seek to refer you to another health service.
We can assist in finding a GP who is prescribing PrEP. We can also provide support GPs to start prescribing PrEP. Feel free to inform your GP of our service if they don’t know about PrEP.
The Alfred runs PrEP clinics throughout the week including nurse-led PrEP clinics. Contact the clinic number to make an appointment.
How much does PrEP cost?
There is a standard PBS co-payment for each script/month of PrEP.
Resources
All patient resources-
10 things you need to know about PrEP
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PrEP fact sheet - AFAO 251 KB
This fact sheet provided by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) explains what PrEP access through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) means for those accessing this medicine.
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PrEP for Trans
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PrEP Access Now
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PrEP’d for Change
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PrEPX frequently asked questions 375 KB
Frequently asked questions about the PrEPX study
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Victorian AIDS Council (VAC)