Uptake, adherence and discontinuation of PrEP in Australia: a national study using prescription data
Findings from the EPIC-NSW PrEP cohort show that the strongest predictors of PrEP failure are non-adherence and stopping PrEP. We used linked de-identified Australian government prescription data to examine usage of PrEP, in the two years since it was subsidied by the Australian government in April 2018. We observed very large differences in the proportion of patients who discontinue PrEP and with low PrEP consumption. The large differences in discontinuation and usage among patient subgroups require urgent investigation. This information can inform strategies to protect individuals and achieve elimination of HIV transmission in Australia.
About the speaker
Dr Nick Medland is an Australian sexual health physician and NHMCR research fellow at Kirby Institute, UNSW. His PhD was in the effects of treatment as prevention on the epidemiology of HIV in Australia. He has more than 20 years’ experience in HIV medicine and gay men’s health, including as a community GP. For 6 years he worked in senior roles in US Government PEPFAR HIV/AIDS programs in Vietnam, including as the CDC Care and Treatment Lead. He’s the president-elect of the Australian Society of HIV, Sexual Health and Viral Hepatitis Medicine and is chairing their Asia-Pacific COVID-19 response. He lives with his husband in Lincoln and works clinically in Nottingham.
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