Had hassle getting PrEP at your common pharmacy?
A short lived provide situation with PrEP in Australia may imply some native chemists are out of inventory. That is prone to be resolved quickly. However for now, right here’s what you are able to do.
Is there a PrEP scarcity in Australia?
September 2024 — The Therapeutic Items Administration (TGA) reviews provide points with a few of Australia’s PrEP suppliers. Which means that some native chemists could also be quickly out of inventory.
Suppliers count on inventory to turn into out there once more by mid October 2024.
What can I do whereas PrEP is out of inventory?
Listed here are a number of tricks to be sure to stay protected against HIV throughout a PrEP scarcity:
1. Plan forward
Whereas shares are low, it’s a good suggestion to plan forward. While you’re right down to your final bottle (one month’s provide), depart sufficient time to see your physician for sexual well being assessments and to choose up your subsequent script.
In case your native chemist is out of inventory, chances are you’ll have to strive different chemists or think about ordering PrEP from a web-based provider. The remedy might take a number of weeks to reach by publish.
2. Verify different chemists or pharmacies
It’s possible you’ll discover that your common chemist is out of PrEP. Not all chemists use the identical suppliers, so in case your ordinary one is out of inventory, strive a distinct chemist.
Group organisation PAN (PrEPaccessNOW) gives a map of local chemists who should have PrEP in inventory and people identified to have run out. Contact your most popular chemist to examine their inventory ranges earlier than attending.
3. Order PrEP on-line
If you happen to’re having hassle discovering PrEP in native chemists, an alternative choice is to order it on-line.
You should buy PrEP on-line for private importation with or with out Medicare. Supply occasions might range — between 5 and 10 working days, or longer. Ensure you order nicely prematurely, so that you don’t run out of PrEP.
You probably have an digital prescription (eScript), ask your physician for a paper copy as a substitute. To import PrEP, you want a scanned copy of a paper prescription, as abroad pharmacies don’t settle for eScripts. With out the right documentation, Customs Officers might delay your package deal.
When shopping for PrEP from a web-based abroad pharmacy for private importation there are some guidelines to pay attention to. It’s additionally necessary to make certain you’re ordering the fitting product. Take a look at our information for what you’ll want to know: How to buy PrEP online for personal importation.
Some choices for getting PrEP on-line embody:
- PAN (PrEPaccessNOW) — An Australian-based organisation that helps folks navigate shopping for PrEP on-line. PAN additionally gives a free PrEP coupon scheme for individuals who can not afford it through their partnership with Inexperienced Cross Pharmacy. Accessible to folks with or with out Medicare.
- ACE Pharmacy — An Australian-based chain of pharmacies that gives PrEP by mail order.
- Green Cross Pharmacy — A web based abroad pharmacy offering PrEP by mail order. Plan forward for worldwide supply occasions.
- DYNAMIX International — A web based abroad pharmacy offering PrEP by mail order. Plan forward for worldwide supply occasions.
- Pulse Pharmacy — A web based abroad pharmacy offering PrEP by mail order. Plan forward for worldwide supply occasions.
- PrEPped Smart & Healthy — An Australian-based group of pharmacies offering mail-order PrEP to folks with or with out Medicare. PrEP shares could also be affected by latest provide points (as of September 2024).
4. Change the best way you utilize PrEP
Switching to on-demand PrEP will help you keep protected in opposition to HIV with out utilizing a tablet day by day.
When used as suggested, on-demand PrEP is simply as efficient as each day PrEP for shielding in opposition to HIV.
On-demand PrEP is barely appropriate for cisgender males who’ve intercourse with males. It could possibly be a helpful possibility in case you’re having intercourse lower than twice per week. Learn extra about on-demand PrEP and learn how to use it right here: On-demand PrEP – Powerful HIV protection when you decide.
5. Take into account different HIV prevention strategies
PrEP is only one HIV prevention methodology. If you happen to run out of PrEP, use different types of safety, reminiscent of:
- Condoms: They’re low-cost, available, and easy to make use of.
- Undetectable Viral Load (UVL) / Undetectable: Folks residing with HIV who use HIV therapy drugs can keep wholesome and get rid of the opportunity of transmitting the virus. Sustaining an undetectable viral load means there’s zero likelihood of somebody transmitting HIV via intercourse — even when condoms or PrEP aren’t getting used. So, in case your companion(s) is undetectable which means you’re already protected against HIV.
No matter HIV prevention technique works for you, it’s nonetheless necessary to get examined often for STIs and HIV. Our interactive map will help you discover a service close to you.
6. Use PEP in an emergency
If you happen to run out of PrEP and suppose you’ve been uncovered to HIV, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is accessible in an emergency. It’s a 28-day course of remedy you’ll be able to take to forestall getting HIV after a attainable publicity.
To seek out out the place you will get PEP close to you, click on in your state or territory:
The place can I get help?
Assist is accessible throughout Australia. For questions on getting or utilizing PrEP, see this guide for choices close to you.
Does this PrEP scarcity have an effect on folks utilizing HIV therapy?
For folks residing with HIV, the present scarcity solely impacts TD*/FTC (tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine) mixtures, that are primarily used for PrEP and PEP.
This scarcity is unlikely to affect folks residing with HIV, as most individuals who have been beforehand on TD*/FTC-based therapies have switched to newer variations, reminiscent of TAF (tenofovir alafenamide). On the time of publication, there aren’t any reported provide points with these newer mixtures.
The TGA’s Medicine shortage reports database gives particulars of all identified drugs shortages in Australia.
