The treatments landscape has changed. Modern medications are safer, easier to take, and much more effective at suppressing the virus. Treating HIV immediately reduces the amount of HIV in body reservoirs, reduces the amount of chronic inflammation that HIV causes, and also prevents the onset of other serious chronic diseases. Access to HIV medications is more important than ever. Access must be convenient, affordable with a minimum of prescription barriers.
Related articles
- PLHIV and TasP - what's it mean?
- Immediate or early, what's the difference
- And we're off! - immediate treatment for HIV
HIV medication in community pharmacies
Positive Life NSW has long advocated for the dispensing of HIV medications by community pharmacies (chemists) and we strongly support the introduction of a more flexible HIV medication dispensing model aimed at providing people with HIV with a range of access options in a convenient accessible manner.
- An easy pick up! Your HIV meds from your local - April 2017
- HIV meds from your local - an easy pick up!
- The Choice is Yours
- HIV game changer - 1 July 2015 Media Release
- HIV Medication Community Dispensing in NSW
Electronic Integration of Health Records in NSW Health
From April 2017 public hospital pathology reports will be shared with the MyHealth Record and rolled out through the NSW Health state-wide clinical information system HealtheNet Clinical Portal.
- NSW Health Pathology Integration and PLHIV - April 2017
- Private Pathology Reports To Go Live in My Health Record - June 2017
The EMA Scheme
The EMA Scheme was superseded in 2015 by the move to community pharmacy dispensing of HIV medications. It was run out of the Albion Centre pharmacy and enabled people with HIV who are stable on treatment to have their medications posted to their home or a nominated community pharmacy.
Resources
Options for picking up your HIV medication - May 2015
Pharmacy practice support resources address changes in HIV dispensing conditions - April 2015
ASHM Communique #2 - April 2015
