Truvada denied entry to the PBS

IT is believed the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has rejected submissions to add Truvada to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Star Observer understands PBAC has denied the application based on the high cost of the medication declared by pharmaceutical Gilead.

Truvada is the drug which forms the HIV preventative pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medical treatment and is not currently available on the PBS costing people hundreds per prescription, or forcing them to import the drug from overseas.

In May, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Truvada for use as PrEP in Australia and the next step to make Truvada available to those who need it was for PBAC to recommend that the government subsidise the drug through the PBS.

PBAC is releasing its review later today.

Stay tuned for more updates.