Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of antiretroviral medication to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. If taken every day this medication significantly reduces your chance of acquiring HIV. PrEP requires a seeing a doctor to receive a script.
It is important that you evaluate your own risk of acquiring HIV, or if you’re unsure, to speak to a sexual health clinician. While PrEP is a highly effective strategy in preventing HIV, there are other highly effective strategies out there, including U=U and condoms.
Prior to starting PrEP, the clinician will test you for your HIV status, other STI tests and your kidney function. PrEP requires ongoing kidney function monitoring on a three-monthly basis, as it can impact your kidneys. This is done when you come in for a PrEP follow-up to receive your three-monthly script.
Currently our PrEP clinic hours are:
Monday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wednesday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Please click below for more specific information about PrEP and M Clinic PrEP services.
PrEP Information
PrEP is a highly effective medication that, when taken daily, prevents you from acquiring HIV. If taken every day this medication significantly reduces your chance of acquiring HIV. It is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) therefore only requires a GP script to purchase at a pharmacy, ongoing renal function and sexual health testing. Some pharmacies may keep PrEP in stock, and some may need to order in the medication once you provide your prescription, which could take 1-2 days.
While any doctor or general practitioner (GP) can prescribe PrEP, you may be more comfortable discussing your needs with a GP who is experienced in prescribing PrEP. If you choose to see a doctor who is unfamiliar with prescribing PrEP, they can access information about prescribing PrEP from the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM).
For an informative video about PrEP please click here.
PrEP Clinic
PrEP appointments are under a Medicare-structure fee system. To access the Medicare rebate you are required to use the name that is printed on your Medicare card. An upfront payment is required, and then you can tap on the terminal to receive your Medicare rebate. Therefore your out-of-pocket payment for all appointments is still $20.
| Appointment Type | Consult cost | Medicare Rebate | Out of pocket payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| PrEP enrolment first time PrEP appointment or restarting after a break |
105.75 | 75.75 | 30 |
| 1 month follow up after enrolment |
69.10 | 39.10 | 30 |
| 3 monthly follow up regular follow ups |
69.10 | 39.10 | 30 |
If you can’t attend an appointment and fail to cancel it, you will be charged $20 payable prior to your next appointment.
Your Medicare rebate can only be deposited into a bank account, which means that you have to use a CHEQUE or SAVINGS account on a physical card to get the money deposited back in your account. If this is not possible, you will have to lodge a Medicare claim online via MyGov or through the Medicare Express Plus App. More information can be found on the Medicare website.
PrEP Coupons
The following information is only relevant to people who choose to access PrEP through Personal Importation via Green Cross Pharmacy.
If you are on a low income or are experiencing financial hardship or other extenuating circumstances, then you may be eligible for a coupon to provide you with PrEP. Through a relationship with Green Cross Pharmacy, M Clinic is able to assist you in accessing PrEP. Although M Clinic is a service for men who have sex with men, trans people and non-binary people, these PrEP Coupons are accessible for anyone who is otherwise eligible, as per guidelines below.
How do we assess eligibility?
We require some proof that you are experiencing financial hardship or are on a low income. If you have a healthcare card (such as through Centrelink), a pensioner’s card, or a student ID, then you are eligible for a coupon.
If you do not have one of these cards but are experiencing some financial hardship, please write a brief explanation in the text box below and we will make an assessment.
If you would like to discuss eligibility further with us contact us on (08) 9227 0734.
Follow these steps…
- Acquire a script for PrEP through a doctor (Must be a recent script).
- Fill out the application form below
- If your application is successful then you will receive an email with a code for Green Cross Pharmacy, along with instructions on how to order
- You will receive 3 months worth of free PrEP
How is this happening?
10% of sales (1 in 10) through Green Cross Pharmacy of PrEP generate a coupon for someone who is low income. M Clinic is assisting Green Cross Pharmacy in facilitating access to these coupons.
M Clinic does not benefit financially from this partnership. If there are any issues with your delivery once you have put your order through Green Cross Pharmacy, please contact them via orders@greencrosspharmacy.online
PrEP Coupon Application
Non-Medicare PrEP
For PrEP consultations M Clinic charges the standard appointment costs (depending on the length of the consult) plus a $20 gap fee. This gap fee allows us to continue to provide STI screening appointments for free to low income earners, and also provide treatments for free.
- If you have health insurance that is standard cover or higher, you can claim back a large percentage of the appointments costs and pathology costs (sample testing costs).
- You cannot claim back the $20 gap fee.
- Essentials Cover does not cover PrEP consultations.
Please note that these costs are dependent on the length of the consult and the tests ordered by the doctor. Consult costs are 100% claimable, pathology costs ~85% claimable.
You can pay your pathology costs here at the clinic, as well as the consult costs. We will provide you with the receipts for each of these payments which you can take to your health insurance provider. Pathology payments are paid to PathWest through an online payment portal which requires card details input at Reception. Please note you can access PrEP for free through South Terrace Clinic in Fremantle and through Royal Perth Hospital Sexual Health Clinic.
OrderingPrEP
| Option | Requirement | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Pharmacy (PBS) | PrEP prescription. Payment at pharmacy (requires Medicare). |
$30 a month ($6.60 a month with concession) |
PrEP on the PBS |
| Prepped Smart and Healthy | PrEP prescription. Australian Medicare card. |
42.50 for 3 months ($6.60 for 3 months with concession) |
PrEP'D for Change |
| Personal Importation (for people without Medicare) | PrEP prescription. Purchasing generic medication from overseas pharmacies via Personal Importation Scheme. |
Varies with overseas pharmacy. | PrEP Access Now (PAN) PrEP Global |
| Personal Importation (Low income) |
PrEP prescription. Coupon Application |
None | Please see "PrEP Coupons" section |
*Programs involving delivery are available only within Australia and may be subject to delays
PrEP Specimen Collection
We encourage specimen collection before your PrEP follow-ups. This is so the doctors have your most current HIV and renal function results to determine your eligibility for PrEP. We send out SMS reminders for sample collection around 2 weeks before your appointment.
Urine sample results are most accurate if they are your first pee of the day. The best thing to do is to go to your local PathWest Collection Centre as early in the morning as you can. PathWest Collection Centre locations are listed on the back of the pathology form. You can also click here for a list of PathWest collection centres. If you've lost your pathology form call us on 9227 0734.
If you have your sample collection tubs and swabs with you, please see the image below for instructions for collecting your samples.
Buying PrEP from a Pharmacy
Not all pharmacies have PrEP in stock and may need to order it in. The following pharmacies stock PrEP, enabling you to go and pick it up after providing your script.
West End Pharmacy
1273 Hay Street, WEST PERTH 6005
(Cnr Hay/Outram St)
Ph: (08) 9481 6390
Priceline Pharmacy
810 Hay Street, PERTH 6000
Ph: (08) 9321 0699
Chemist Warehouse
Coventry Village, 243 Walter Road West, MORLEY 6062
Ph: (08) 9375 8722
Fremantle Central Pharmacy
Shop 1, Corner Cantonment & Queen Streets, FREMANTLE 6160
Ph: (08) 9335 2786
St Francis Pharmacy
19/29 Station Street,
Subiaco Square Shopping Centre (opposite Woolworths), SUBIACO 6008
Ph: 1300 783 726
Friendlies Pharmacy
143 Oxford Street, LEEDERVILLE 6007
Ph: (08) 9444 8219
Fitch's Pharmacy
731 Hay Street Mall, PERTH 6000
Ph: (08) 9321 6411
