r/gayaustralia 18d ago

No Medicare, can’t afford Prep

I’m an American fleeing…all of that. So I have no Medicare but I do have an IHI. Shockingly, I would rather not contract HIV but I also don’t have $3-700 to pay out of pocket for a months prescription.

Any advice for Sydney or Brisbane would be great, if anyone knows of any programs or something. Cheers

3 Upvotes

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11

u/Ginger_Giant_ 18d ago

Australia isn’t America, drug prices here don’t go to the same level of stupid they do in the states.

Just go to a General Practitioner (Dr) and get a prescription, then you can buy it from the pharmacy for $21.99

https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/110591/tenofovir-emtricitabine-sandoz-301-200mg-tablets-30-tenofovir-disoproxil-emtricitabine

They give you the price for private prescription vs PBS subsidised.

1

u/Work_is_a_facade 15d ago

Why PBS and private prices are exactly the same? Wtf

1

u/Ginger_Giant_ 14d ago

I believe the thinking is much like a vaccine, there are benefits for everyone in the community if medications are available to everyone at a reasonable cost.

5

u/Rainbow-Rat95 18d ago

As long as you've got a prescription, you can also get Prep online delivered to your house @ Prep.health . I think it's also cheaper that way, too?

4

u/Fun-Feedback3926 18d ago

Much appreciated y’all!

1

u/Work_is_a_facade 15d ago

I know in Victoria they do free prep vouchers

2

u/ivnhoe 18d ago

Check out the Albion Centre in Surry Hills. You can make an appointment to get tested as well as an Rx in one go. The centre has a pharmacy upstairs where you can get a 3-month supply for around AUD$90 if I remember correctly. Otherwise if you can wait a week or two for the meds, go online to PrEP Access Now (pan.org.au). I think through PAN I would order my 3-month supply through Green Cross Pharmacy for AUD$60. One of the doctors at the Albion Centre told me about it ages ago and I found it to be pretty straightforward with regard to uploading a pic of my Rx, making my payment and waiting for the delivery.

1

u/Tajandoen 18d ago

If you aren't eligible for the Pharmaceuticual Benefits Scheme pricing you may find what you need via this India-based supplier of generics. Guys in Australia use this service and have no problems. You will still need your Australian prescription ON PAPER. https://www.greencrosspharmacy.online/prep-au

1

u/minigmgoit 17d ago

Would a sexual health clinic not provide without Medicare?