In Practice: HIV medication shortage update

This week’s In Practice also includes a reminder to review the medicinal cannabis treatment plans for veteran patients under current grandfathering arrangements, and early bird registrations closing soon for an addiction medicine conference.
 
Discontinuation of HIV medications
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has notified of the discontinuation of tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine/efavirenz viatris 300 mg/200 mg/600 mg tablets, due to manufacturing reasons.
 
With the product unavailable since March 2025, the TGA approved the supply of overseas-registered efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 600 mg/200 mg/300 mg tablets to facilitate ongoing access. This approval lapses on 31 January 2027.
 
Other tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine (PrEP) products and alternative non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors remain available, however efavirenz is not marketed as a separate product.
 
Healthcare professionals should consider appropriate alternative treatments based on individual patient needs. The latest information is published on the Medicine Shortages Reports Database.
 
Medicinal cannabis grandfathering arrangements
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has issued a reminder that under the Medicinal Cannabis Framework, which came into effect in February, six-month grandfathering arrangements for Veteran Card holders using medicinal cannabis will end on 31 August.
 
Medicinal cannabis prescribers should arrange reviews ahead of this deadline with impacted DVA patients and make any necessary adjustments to ensure eligibility and continuity of care.
 
The grandfathering arrangements apply to veterans who had prescriptions dispensed between 16 February 2025 and 15 February 2026. Once the arrangements cease, all prescriptions for which DVA funding is sought must comply with the framework requirements.
 
Veteran card holders who commenced medicinal cannabis since 16 February will have been assessed under the updated framework, so no changes to treatment from 1 September are required. More information is available on the DVA website.
 
GPADD: Early bird registration closing
The General Practice in Addiction (GPADD) Conference brings together GPs, health professionals, researchers, and community advocates to exchange knowledge and strengthen the role of primary care in addiction management. Attendees can join experts in addiction while earning 18.5 CPD hours.
 
Running from 28–29 August in Melbourne, early bird registrations close on 19 July. The full program and registrations are available online.
 
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addiction medicine HIV medication medication shortages medicinal cannabis patients PrEP TGA veteran