HIV (VIRUSES) – AUSTRALIA

HIV-positive health workers could see restrictions relaxed

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Original article by Julia Medew
The Age – Page: 3 : 24-Jul-14

The Communicable Diseases Network of Australia (CDNA) will on 24 July 2014 issue new draft guidelines that allow health professionals with blood-borne viruses to perform "exposure-prone" procedures. This would align the local profession with rules already in effect in the UK, and cover hepatitis B and C as well as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. No mandatory testing is proposed, but HIV-positive surgeons, dentists, obstetricians and gynaecologists for example who are infected and fail to follow the CDNA guidelines could be prosecuted under federal laws

CORPORATES
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES NETWORK OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND|MEDICAL BOARD OF AUSTRALIA

New testing kit will let people diagnose HIV from home

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Original article by Kate Hagan
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 11 : 8-Jul-14

Australian Health Minister Peter Dutton has pledged to rescind a ban on the sale of home testing kits for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The move is being applauded by the National Association of People with HIV. John Skerritt, national manager of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, says the kit works in a way similar to a pregnancy test, but uses an oral swab. The product has already been widely used in the US. Dutton has also signalled that antiretroviral medicines to combat HIV will become more easily available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIA. THERAPEUTIC GOODS ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS, ALFRED HOSPITAL