A new HIV medicine, Tivicay will receive a PBS listing on April 1st on the eve of the 30 year anniversary of the announcement that researchers had identified the virus responsible for the AIDS epidemic.
“In April 1984, it was first announced that researchers had identified the virus responsible for AIDS – thus marking the starting point for the development of anti-HIV medications,” said Professor Andrew Carr, Director of the HIV, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. “There’s been a progressive improvement in the potency, safety and convenience of anti-HIV medications, which makes them far more likely to succeed over the long term – but there is still a need for new treatment options,” he said
Professor Andrew Carr described the PBS listing of Tivicay as an important development in the treatment of HIV, coming at a time when according to research released by the Kirby Institute the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Australia are on the rise – currently running at around 1,000 new cases every year and with more than 25,000 Australians who are now living with diagnosed HIV1, of which estimates are that up to half remain untreated.
Bill Whittaker from the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) said, “With new HIV infections on the increase, it is essential that people with HIV have access to effective and well tolerated anti- HIV therapies.” “Thirty years after HIV was identified as the cause of AIDS, we need to ensure that all Australians have access to the latest information on advances in therapy. People living with HIV who aren’t already on therapy or have concerns should start a conversation with their doctor,” Mr Whittaker added.