HIV post exposure prophylaxis information for health professionals

South Australian HIV PEP hotline 1800 022 226

HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medications that can prevent HIV infection following an exposure to HIV. 

HIV PEP must be started as soon as possible within 72 hours of the risk exposure and effectiveness is considered to be greater when PEP is started within the first 24 hours post exposure.

PEP is not available on the PBS. However, generic formulations for 2-drug PEP are available and all GPs are able to prescribe
2-drug PEP at a reasonable cost using a private (non-PBS) prescription.

Key documents

The South Australian PEP Management Plan is currently under review. In the interim, all health professionals should refer to the National HIV PEP Guidelines. 

SA Health sites can also refer to the Central Adelaide Local Health Network’s 'Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) after exposure to HIV and other bloodborne viruses in adults guideline' (accessible via the CALHN intranet). 

CALHN and the authors of the CALHN guideline are NOT a contact point for PEP related matters.

Any queries related to PEP guideline development and management should be directed to the Communicable Disease Control Branch.

HIV PEP hotline

The South Australian HIV PEP hotline 1800 022 226 is available 24 hours a day to triage any member of the public who is concerned they may have been exposed to HIV. Calls are answered by a Registered Nurse who will conduct a risk assessment based on the information provided by the caller. Individuals who have had a risk exposure to HIV will be directed to the nearest available HIV PEP access point.

HIV PEP access point sites

In South Australia, HIV PEP can be accessed via selected primary care clinics and hospital emergency departments. See Access point locations below.

Ordering PEP

SA Health HIV PEP access point sites can order HIV PEP via a written or electronic purchase request directed to the SA Pharmacy Purchasing Officer at Flinders Medical Centre.  For further information regarding ordering, phone 8204 5283.

It is the responsibility of all SA Health HIV PEP access point sites to ensure availability of HIV PEP medications and that stock is not expired, and to review this on a regular basis as part of routine pharmaceutical stock management.

Training

A free, short online training module for medical officers and registered nurses based in hospitals or health services that distribute PEP is available from SHINE SA.

For more information visit the SHINE SA website and follow the instructions to register for the course.

Access point locations

U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable)

People living with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral treatment medications, and maintaining an undetectable viral load, cannot sexually transmit HIV. This is known as ‘treatment as prevention’ or U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). 

An undetectable viral load can also significantly reduce the risk of transmission of HIV via injecting and breastfeeding.

Refer to the following websites for more information about U=U: