The life-saving drug in short supply across Sydney

Pharmacies across Sydney and Australia are running low on supplies of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the antiviral medication that has become a crucial weapon in the global fight against HIV.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says the government is working to guarantee access to the daily medication for those who need it.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is in short supply until at least mid-October.Credit: Getty Images

What is PrEP, and what is it used for?

Usually coming in the form of a blue pill, PrEP is an antiviral medication taken daily to prevent HIV infection.

It is recommended for people at risk of contracting HIV. In Australia, that mostly includes gay and bisexual men.

A large-scale trial across NSW in 2016 corresponded with an immediate 30 per cent reduction in transmission, and its listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2018 made it widely accessible for men across Australia.

More than 45,000 Australians filled at least one PrEP script at a pharmacy in 2023. In NSW, 17,247 people received the medication between October and December.

Its widespread uptake has played a huge part in slashing HIV transmission by 60 per cent in the last decade, and changed the lives of thousands of gay and bisexual men.

The medication is almost 100 per cent effective when taken as prescribed. “It offers complete peace of mind,” says Andrew Grulich, a global expert on HIV transmission and professor at Sydney’s Kirby Institute.

“For many decades, a lot of gay men associated sex with anxiety because of the risk of HIV,” Grulich said. “It’s the most highly effective form of HIV prevention we’ve got, and we need to make sure it’s going to be available.”

Where are the shortages?

Dozens of pharmacies across Sydney’s inner city are completely out of stock and many others have limited supply to one bottle per person, according to the website PrEP Access Now, which has been monitoring shortages of the medication across the country.

PrEP is unavailable at Chemist Warehouse outlets in Pitt St, Darlinghurst, North Sydney, Parramatta and Penrith, and four Priceline pharmacies in Sydney’s CBD.

The Herald has also confirmed low stock at pharmacies in Newtown, Wollongong and the Mid North Coast.

Why is it in short supply and what are the alternatives?

PrEP is recommended to be taken daily to be most effective, although it can be taken periodically – or “on-demand” by men who have sex with other men. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the importation and supply of internationally registered alternatives to help meet demand. These drugs have the same active ingredient, strength and form.

All four of Australia’s pharmaceutical suppliers of tenofovir/emtricitabine combination tablets in Australia are experiencing disruptions, which they blame on manufacturing issues, “commercial changes”, and unexpected increases in demand due to other manufacturers’ short supply.

How long is the shortage expected to last?

All but one of the four PrEP products on the market will return to supply between mid-October and mid-November, the TGA says. “This information will continue to be updated as sponsors provide further advice regarding changes to the supply situation,” says a spokesperson.

Anyone having difficulty accessing PrEP should call the Sexual Health InfoLink hotline on 1800 451 624.

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