As Australia’s HIV infection rates reach a 20-year high, trials are underway for a new drug that's been shown to prevent people from contracting the virus.
President of the Australasian Society of HIV Medicine, Edwina Wright, said the drug, named Truvada, acted to fight off the virus once it entered the system.
"It essentially means that if the virus were to enter a person after sexual intimacy, the person would already have a very effective anti-viral medication in their system...and we believe it kills off the virus very quickly."
Ms Wright is leading one of several Australian trials for PrEP – pre-exposure prophylaxis – and stressed Truvada was not meant to be used as a replacement for condoms.
"Thirty per cent of HIV-negative men in Australia consistently use condoms, so that's on every occasion," she said. "Heterosexuals in studies from Europe are only able to manage consistent condom use of around 50 per cent. So with all the best efforts we can't consistently use condoms, but it remains the most important HIV prevention measures to be used globally."
A 34-year-old trial participant, who wanted to be known only as “Gordon," said he was hoping the drug would protect him from contracting HIV.
"Well I suppose it's more of a comfort zone for yourself knowing that you've got another thing that you're using to fight - to not get HIV," he said.
Gordon said condom use was declining in Australia, which made Truvada appealing.
"I think there is a great, great element of complacency… around usage of condoms and the actual obtaining of STIs or STDs,” he said. “And people are just becoming more comfortable and usage of condoms has just slowed."
The drug's manufacturer is yet to apply for Truvada to be approved in Australia.
Chief Executive the Victorian Aids Council, Simon Ruth, said he hoped approval would be sought and granted.
"It has to be introduced into Australia," he said.
"It is the most effective way of preventing HIV currently available."
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