The NZAF says yesterday’s approval of the PrEP drug Tuvada in Australia will potentially have implications for New Zealand. With PrEP neither approved by MedSafe nor funded by PHARMAC here in New Zealand, in order for New Zealanders to get the full benefit of PrEP, MedSafe would first need to approve Truvada as safe for PrEP use much the same as in Australia. Pharmac would also need to fund the drug to make it more affordable. “An application to MedSafe can only be made by the manufacturer, Gilead Sciences,” says Shaun Robinson, Executive Director of NZAF. “NZAF and our clinical sector colleagues have been urging Gilead Sciences to apply for MedSafe approval for some time now. We hope that the approval by Australia’s TGA will encourage the manufacturer to urgently proceed with a similar application in New Zealand. “If and when NZ MedSafe approves Truvada, it will take us one step closer to PrEP being funded and will also make prescription for private importation easier.” The NZAF say they will continue to advocate for PrEP to be made available in New Zealand and that along with condoms, testing and treatment, PrEP gives people at risk an additional tool for taking control of their health and well-being.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 7th May 2016 - 10:42am