Thousands of at-risk men will now have access to PrEP via their GPs in a landmark trial aiming to virtually eliminate HIV infections by 2020. The initiative will see 3700 mostly gay and bisexual men given access to a daily dose of a component of standard HIV antiretroviral treatment, up from 300. Researchers from […]
Thousands of at-risk men will now have access to PrEP via their GPs in a landmark trial aiming to virtually eliminate HIV infections by 2020.
The initiative will see 3700 mostly gay and bisexual men given access to a daily dose of a component of standard HIV antiretroviral treatment, up from 300.
Researchers from the Kirby Institute say the EPIC-NSW trial (Expanded PrEP Implementation in Communities) “has the potential to change the face of HIV transmission in NSW”.
“Rapid enrolment, high coverage and precision targeting are crucial to the success of this trial and if done properly, it will bring about the rapid reduction of HIV transmission in NSW, and the virtual elimination of new HIV infections by 2020,” said Professor David Cooper, Director of the Kirby Institute and Principal Investigator on the trial.
Similar studies into PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) have shown very promising results, with a major study finding that proper adherence to the medications would have conferred a 92-95% protection from HIV infection.
More recent studies have concluded with no participants having contracted HIV while on the medication.
Truvada is licensed in the US for the purposes of PrEP, but is not currently approved by the TGA for use in Australia, so is not available on the PBS.
However, some patients have been importing it to Australia via the internet under the supervision of their doctor.
The trial is expected to begin by Mardi Gras, late February or early March, next year.
