The drug Truvada, which is becoming increasingly respected and popular globally as an HIV preventative, has at last been approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Until now, only those on strict drug trials have been given the Truvada pill as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), while many other Australians have been ordering it online from overseas.
PrEP is an antiretroviral treatment taken by HIV negative people at high risk of acquiring HIV to prevent infection. Studies have shown that a daily dose of PrEP is extremely effective at preventing HIV transmission, and recent demonstration projects in Australia have continued to show strong results.
Today’s decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration brings Australia into line with other countries that have approved the use of Truvada as PrEP, including the United States, Canada, France and South Africa.
TGA approval means doctors in Australia no longer have to prescribe Truvada as PrEP “off-label”, that is, for something other than its previously-approved use as a medication to treat HIV.
The approval is also a necessary step towards the eventual listing of PrEP on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which will bring the cost down.