PREP FOR FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

HIV can enter your body through unprotected anal, oral, vaginal sex or through sharing used needles.

HIV is a virus which once established in the body, attacks the immune system and the protective cells called CD4 cells. Once HIV enters these protective cells, HIV multiplies quickly and releases more HIV into the blood infecting other CD4 cells within the body. Once HIV is established in the body, you become HIV positive.

Once HIV positive, you remain HIV positive for life. Without treatment HIV can cause serious health problems and can lead to death through secondary AIDS related illnesses. Today living with HIV is a treatable chronic illness which can be successfully managed with medication. On treatment, people living with HIV can live normal and healthy lives.

Videos developed by Young Deadly Free, a project of The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

"For us mob, PrEP is free or discounted through Closing the Gap."

What is PrEP?

Free Condoms

PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

PrEP is one form of HIV prevention used by people who don’t have HIV and are at risk of getting HIV.

Taking PrEP can be as simple as taking one oral pill a day, and it only takes about a week to provide maximum protection from HIV. Consult with your doctor though because waiting times for PrEP to become effective in preventing HIV may vary depending on your body. Several studies show PrEP can offer you very high levels of protection from HIV, when taken as prescribed by your doctor. As gay, bisexual, Brotherboy, Sistergirl or any man who has sex with men (MSM), ensuring you make informed choices about your sexual health is important.

Credit: Health Equity Matters

Condoms continue to be an effective way to reduce the transmission of HIV and most other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Click HERE to order free condoms.

Please note free condoms/dams are only available for Qld residential addresses only

PrEP is an additional way to reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission.

Getting on PrEP is easy

You need a PrEP prescription

You will need to visit a doctor to run some tests before getting on PrEP. On a return visit your doctor can write you a PrEP prescription.

Closing the Gap

The Closing the Gap (CTG) program makes getting PrEP affordable.

The CTG PBS Co-payment Measure improves access to PBS medicines for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with, or at risk of a chronic disease. This includes prescriptions for PrEP.

Under the CTG PBS Co-Payment Program, eligible First Nations patients who:

• People who normally pay the full PBS co-payment of $31.60 get their medicine at the concession price of $7.70.

• People who normally pay the concession price get PBS medicines for free.

Are you an individual who would like to register for Closing the Gap?

Chat to your doctor who will assist you in filling out paperwork to get you registered.

The form is called ‘Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Incentive and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Co-payment Measure patient registration and consent’.

There is criteria to qualify for registering as a patient for CTG.

The criteria is: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people of any age who present with an existing chronic disease or are at risk of chronic disease, and in the opinion of the prescriber:

• would experience setbacks in the prevention or ongoing management of chronic disease if the person did not take the prescribed medicine; and

• are unlikely to adhere to their medicines regimen without assistance through the program.

Finding other PrEP prescribers

Find other recommended and experienced doctors on our PrEP Prescriber Directory HERE.

If accessing PrEP with the Closing the Gap incentive, will my prescription look any different?

Yes. Your prescription will have either a:

• CTG flag that will appear on your prescription.

• The GP will hand-write the annotation on the prescription. They need to add ‘CTG’ and their signature or initials.

I now have my prescription, what do I do now?

You have three options for getting your PrEP tablets.

1. Get PrEP from Australian In-store Pharmacies

Bring your prescription and Medicare card to your local pharmacy.

Closing the Gap

Can any pharmacy dispense PrEP on a prescription marked with Closing the Gap?

Yes, any pharmacy can dispense your PrEP prescription. Be mindful most pharmacies will not stock PrEP so you may need to pay upfront and return to collect your months’ supply 24 or 48 hours later.

How much will PrEP cost with the Closing the Gap Incentive?

If both the clinic and you are registered for Closing the Gap, you can get PrEP:

• Free (with a Health Care Card)

• $6.60 (without a Health Care Card) for a month supply.

How much will PrEP cost without the Closing the Gap incentive?

Without the Closing the Gap benefit PrEP, you can get PrEP:

• Up to $31.60 for 30 PrEP pills.

• $7.70 (with a health Care Card) for 30 PrEP pills.

2. Get PrEP from Online Pharmacies

It is possible to obtain PrEP through online pharmacies.

You can legally import PrEP for personal use (up to three months’ supply) from an overseas supplier under Australia’s Personal Importation Scheme for Medicines (IPU).

A month course of PrEP is available online for as low as $24 a month (if you order a three month supply – cost includes delivery). Currently the cheapest online pharmacies are Green Cross Pharmacy & DYNAMIX INTERNATIONAL.

You will need to scan or photograph your prescription and upload it to one of the pharmacies listed below.

• No Medicare is card required when ordering from online pharmacies.

• The CTG incentive is not valid for Online Pharmacy orders

3. Pan PrEP Assistance Coupon Scheme

Can't Afford PrEP?

If you are on a low income or have some financial hardship then you may be eligible for help purchasing PrEP.

For more information, click HERE.

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