HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of antiretroviral medications to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Clinical trials from around the world have demonstrated that PrEP is safe and highly effective at preventing HIV transmission when taken as prescribed.

PrEP is different to PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) which is taken AFTER a possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection.

South Australia’s SAMESH program provides information and peer support for gay and bisexual men looking for more information about PrEP and other options to prevent HIV.

Accessing PrEP

There are three ways to access HIV PrEP in South Australia:

  1. An Australian resident with a current Medicare card can access PrEP at any community pharmacy with a valid prescription from any doctor or authorised Nurse Practitioner. A list of PrEP-friendly practitioners in South Australia can be found on the SHINE SA website.
  2. Any doctor can write a private script for their patient to have dispensed at a community pharmacy. This may be an option for those without a current Medicare card who are willing to pay the private (non-subsidised) cost and do not wish to use the Personal Importation Scheme.
  3. A script can be provided to any patient (including those without a current Medicare card), which will allow them to buy the drug online from a reliable overseas supplier using the TGA’s Personal Importation Scheme. More information on personal importation can be found on the PrEP Access Now website.

Patient information sheet

For more information about accessing PrEP in South Australia, see Adelaide Sexual Health Centre’s HIV PrEP patient information sheet (PDF 110KB).