Pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is a drug which, if taken daily, can prevent HIV infection. More than 27,000 Australians are living with HIV and PrEP is a potential game-changer in combating the disease.

Marketed under the brand name ‘Truvada’ by Gilead, PrEP is available in Australia. However, the price can be prohibitive.

 

Last year the government knocked back a request to have it subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and we will find out on Friday whether or not a new request to have PrEP subsidised will move forward.

 

Thanks to the PrEP X trial and through importing PrEP many Australians have been able to access the drug and take control of their sexual health as well as play a part in stopping the spread of HIV.

 

The Informers Dean Arcuri wanted to find out why Australians were accessing PrEP and spoke to some PrEP users about what using PrEP has meant for them. He speaks to Jacob, Jayden and Mark in this report.

Originally aired on Monday 5th Feb 2018