Victorian PrEP Service

Patient information

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PrEP has been listed on the PBS since 1 April 2018. It can be readily prescribed by any GP throughout Australia. The Alfred provided a key research leadership role prior to the PBS listing which provided access to PrEP via the PrEPX Study. The Alfred continues to provide leadership in the area of HIV Prevention and PrEP, our focus on is on leading clinical care initiatives and access, GP and health service education and continuing to lead HIV prevention/PrEP research.

What we do

Clinical Care

The Victorian PrEP Service provides PrEP clinics at The Alfred and partner outreach health services and provides: 

  • Specialist Medicare Ineligible Clinic (PrEPMe Clinic)
  • Telephone information service for people wanting to start PrEP or seeking general advice about PrEP
  • Telephone consultation for GPs to assist with commencing patients on PrEP and for specialist advice on managing patients with complex health conditions
  • Innovative service responses - developing clinical responses or projects focused on addressing PrEP service barriers and gaps.

Education - Health Professionals and Services

  • Provide education sessions on request to GP practices and health services
  • Provide In partnership with VHHITAL provide education sessions across Victoria targeting GPs
  • Support community and peer based organisations running community focused education on PrEP.

Research

The service continues to undertake research relating to PrEP. The XPlore Study is a follow up study post PrEPX which follows up people previously enrolled in PrEPX.

What is PrEP?

PrEP is medication that is taken by people who are at risk of HIV. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by up to 99%. Find out more about HIV transmission and prevention in Australia.

Where can I access PrEP?

All GPs in Australia are able to prescribe PrEP. If you have any difficulty with obtaining a PrEP prescription from your GP, get in touch with us. We will help you find a GP in your area who is already familiar with prescribing PrEP so that you don’t have to wait. We can also talk with your GP and offer to provide some education so that they feel confident to prescribe PrEP in the future.

PAN and PrEP’d for Change websites have a list of GPs that are familiar with prescribing PrEP. See the links below.

How do I access PrEP without Medicare in Victoria?

The PrEPMe clinic is for people without access to Medicare to access PrEP care. There is no cost for the consultation or testing associated with PrEP. Please call 1800 889 887 or email PrEP@alfred.org.au to discuss with the specialist nurse team.

How much does PrEP cost?

For people with access to Medicare/PBS, there is a standard PBS co-payment for each script/month of PrEP.

For people without access to Medicare/PBS, PrEP is available at low cost and can be purchased in person at a pharmacy or online via PrEP Access Now.

Resources

All patient resources
PrEP 4 Trans
This video from Thorne Harbour Health has useful information for trans and gender diverse people interested in PrEP.
PrEP Access Now
PrEP’d for Change
PrEP fact sheet - AFAO
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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Thorne Harbour Health (THH)
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