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Experts warn against unnecessary HIV medication stockpiling
Experts have warned against Australians excessively stockpiling HIV medications and creating unnecessary and dangerous shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) warns a run on HIV medication in pharmacies could create problems for Australians living with HIV. As a result, ASHM has urged GPs not …
England finally allows unlimited access to PrEP on NHS
After five long years of argument, the British government will finally allow anyone at risk of contracting HIV to access PrEP on the NHS (National Health Service). Previously only 20,000 at-risk persons could access the medication under a trial which began in 2017. Even before that trial began Scotland already introduced PrEP free of charge …
New HIV cases in Queensland are at a five-year low
Rates of HIV diagnoses in Queensland have dropped by more than a third in the last five years, according to new data. Last year, 153 HIV notifications were reported to Queensland Health, compared with 245 in 2014. This is a drop of more than 37 per cent. Experts are attributing the declining rates to increased …
Mardi Gras AGM passes Pride in Protest motion slamming PrEP maker Gilead
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras members have voted to pass a motion from left-wing activist group Pride in Protest challenging PrEP manufacturer Gilead’s sponsorship. The Pride in Protest group made headlines for their controversial Mardi Gras AGM motions to “disinvite” Prime Minister Scott Morrison and ban police floats. While those motions were ultimately defeated …
Aussie gay men on PrEP suffer less anxiety, study finds
An Australian study has found gay and bisexual men taking HIV prevention medication PrEP also have significantly lower levels of HIV-related anxiety. PrEP was made available in Australia through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in April 2018. When taken as directed, the once-daily pill is up to 99% effective at preventing an HIV negative person from …
Instagram rejected these PrEP ads for being ‘political’
Instagram has come under fire for rejecting an ad promoting HIV medication PrEP, deeming it political advertising. PrEP is a once-daily tablet that has been found to be 99% effective at reducing the risk of HIV transmission in HIV-negative people. Over the years and worldwide, it has dramatically reduced the rates of HIV infection among …
PrEP and STIs
Any new story about PrEP seems to prompt social media warfare. PrEPers against anti-PrEPers. Because between politics, sport, religion and Married at First Sight, we just don’t have enough to argue about. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. All that argument is just noise. Individuals will make their own sexual health care decisions. What …
AskDocQ: U=U means if a person with HIV is undetectable, they can’t pass it on
A person with HIV who is on treatment and is undetectable cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partner. There is no risk. Zero. Brisbane LGBTIQ health specialist Dr Fiona Bisshop explains why. I need to have a rant about U=U and HIV. I’ve written about this before, and sorry for repeating myself, but every time I think …
OPINION: Social media shaming and blaming shows HIV stigma persists
The response on social media last month to a Sydney PrEP user who shared his story of contracting HIV while taking the prevention medication has shown that HIV stigma is still sadly persistent, writes Douglas Billing. After scrolling through threads on social media following the articles that have been published regarding a man who has …
AskDocQ: Here’s your survival guide for your Mardi Gras weekend
It’s Mardi Gras season, when the eastern seaboard of Australia is inundated with rainbow-festooned tourists, and there’s a mad rush for tickets to the parties and after-parties and pool parties and recovery parties. If you’ve spent the last few months working on your abs and butt to show off those new shorty shorts you’ve bought, …