A new drug treatment for HIV will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as of this week.

The new drug treatment, called ISENTRESS, has received accelerated approval after two clinical studies and is intended to be used in conjunction with other antiretroviral treatment, particularly those for people who have shown a resistance to other antiretroviral drugs.

The drug is the first of a new type of HIV-1 antiretroviral treatment called integrase inhibitors. The drug prevents new cells in the body from becoming infected, which allows patients' immune systems to recover.

Professor David Cooper, director of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, describes the drug as a significant new treatment.

"It's rare that we get a new class of drugs. New classes are always incredibly important ways to attack a problem - this is something that has been worked on for 20 years and we've finally got the breakthrough with this class.

"The other good thing about this drug is the lack of side effects, which is really important," he said.

Around 450 people have already been taking the drug through an expanded access program since last year and will now be able to access the drug via the PBS.

Vic Perri, Health Promotion Officer with People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) said that results from the drug are so far "pretty good."

"There are people out there that are still dying and have run out of options and if they can't get anything new, they can still die. For those people, whatever is in the pipeline being studied, it couldn't be here fast enough."

Perri said it is important to seek appropriate medical advice when starting on new HIV treatments.

It is estimated there are currently 4,100 Victorians living with HIV/AIDS.

By ANDIE NOONAN