Australasian Society for HIV Medicine

Funds have been provided by the NSW Department of Health AIDS Program from 1^st January 2008 for HIV genotypic drug resistance testing (HIVDR) to the laboratories at St Vincent's, Westmead and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals in Sydney. Testing is subject to specific eligibility criteria being met (click here for criteria). 

Genotypic drug resistance testing funding allocations were made on the basis that the laboratories will provide statewide access. The eligibility criteria were developed through a consultative process and have been endorsed by the Ministerial Advisory Committee on HIV and Sexually Transmissible Infections. It is important that the medical practitioner provides with the test request to the laboratory, the indication for the test from the listed criteria of: acute or recent infection; treatment naive with chronic/established HIV infection; virological failure; or pregnancy.

The funding of HIV genotypic drug resistance testing implements a recommendation of the 2007 NSW HIV-related pathology services costing study. The allocation of funding was recommended as the test is complex, important to the management of HIV/AIDS and without an alternative source of funding.

If you wish to obtain further information the appropriate Department of Health contact is Ms Marlene Velecky, Senior Policy Analyst, AIDS/Infectious Diseases Branch, on (02) 9391 9239.