SYDNEY, Australia, 3rd September 2024 – On the eve of World Sexual Health Day, Australia’s
largest online sexual health group PrEP Health has been advised that they cannot access pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP) for their clients due to a nationwide medication shortage, with all four pharmaceutical
sponsors indicating limited or no supply.
“At PrEP Health, we are proud to supply prescriptions for thousands of Aussies who rely on this
life-saving medication daily. This shortage doesn’t impact our ability to facilitate prescriptions, sexual
health testing or sexual health appointments” James Sneddon, CEO of PrEP Health conrmed.
“We’re working closely with our pharmacy partners, Healthsmart Pharmacy, Australia’s largest supplier of
PrEP to secure an interim supply, but if this is not attained by the end of the week we will unfortunately
need to freeze our delivery option until supply is certain”. Sneddon continued.
A recent study showed that close to 70,000 people have been dispensed PrEP between 2018 – 2023
with a median age of 33 and the majority receiving it more than once*. Another study also highlighted
that an estimated 2,630 people living with HIV in the community were unaware of their status+
PrEP is a medical breakthrough in the eld of HIV and is widely thought to have helped curb infection
rates and continue to, along with wider education. PrEP is a combination of two medications,
co-formulated tenofovir, and emtricitabine, combined in one pill for use by people at risk of HIV
infection. Upon contact with the HIV virus, the components of PrEP block the enzyme needed for the
virus to replicate in the body. When used correctly, it eliminates the risk of acquiring the virus after
exposure and is effective in 99% of cases.
“Our fear is that we run the risk of seeing a spike in HIV infections without this crucial medication
available – Australians deserve a health system that gives them access to the medications they need
when they need it,” Sneddon said.
PrEP Access Now (PAN) is advising several options including considering local pharmacies and PrEP
on-demand which reduces the frequency of dose however this isn’t suitable for everyone depending on
personal health circumstances and consultation with a health professional is required.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 1 million STIs are acquired every day
worldwide, the majority of which are asymptomatic – meaning someone might not even be aware they
have an STI because they aren’t showing any obvious symptoms.
References:
* Medland N et al. HIV Incidence in Users of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis in Australia: A Whole-of-Population
Analysis. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Denver, abstract 166, 2024.
+ HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia Annual surveillance report 2022 – HIV
