HIV PrEP (Tenofovir Disoproxil and Emtricitabine) Shortage

23 September 2024

There is a current national shortage of all brands of tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine combination tablets commonly used for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The shortage is related to production issues among several manufacturers that supply HIV PrEP medicines to the Australian market.

SA Health is working in partnership with local stakeholders and the Australian Government to coordinate a state and national response to this issue. The shortage is expected to resolve later in 2024 for most brands. In the interim, supply of HIV PrEP may be limited across some pharmacies. There is still some supply of tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine combination medication for HIV PrEP in South Australia.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the import of an alternative equivalent product (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil tablets, produced by Laurus Labs, USA) which can be ordered through Phero Pharma Pty Ltd under Section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This product will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October 2024. In the interim, SA Health is supporting subsidised access to a limited additional amount of this product.

HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) remains available and unaffected by the HIV PrEP shortage. Any community members who are concerned about a risk exposure to HIV within the last 72 hours are encouraged to phone the South Australian HIV PEP Hotline on 1800 022 226 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

HIV PrEP prescribers

HIV PrEP prescribers are recommended to:

  • Advise patients that:
    • PrEP is still accessible via many pharmacies and online.
    • The shortage means that they may only be able to access one bottle of tablets at a time, unless they can provide documentation of planned overseas travel for more than one month.
    • They should liaise as early as practical with their local pharmacy for continued supply of HIV PrEP medications. 
    • It is important to maintain their regular HIV testing schedule, especially if their HIV PrEP dosing schedule has changed due to the shortage.
  • Advise patients that, if HIV PrEP is unavailable from their regular pharmacy, they may need to:
    • Contact alternative pharmacies to enquire about HIV PrEP availability, and/or
    • Consider access to HIV PrEP online via personal importation through platforms such as Green Cross Pharmacy. More information about online outlets is available through PrEP Access Now (PAN) at pan.org.au/buy-prep-online. A brand new (never filled) script for 90 days that is written within the last 12 months is required to be provided when ordering. Delivery times are typically 10-21 days.
  • Discuss with your patients the suitability of alternative HIV prevention strategies to daily PrEP including:
    • HIV PrEP on demand, which involves reduced medication use, may be suitable for some individuals.
    • Other safer sex strategies, including condom use.
    • For further information regarding dosing for on demand PrEP refer to the national guidelines (ASHM), and refer patients to the SAMESH website for community led resources and information on HIV prevention (www.samesh.org.au).

For all enquires please contact the CDCB on 1300 232 272 (24 hours/7 days)
Dr Louise Flood – Medical Lead, Communicable Disease Control Branch