PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, which is a daily medication in tablet form that HIV-negative people can take to prevent HIV infection. PrEP, in this context, involves the use of the preparations emtricitabine and tenofovir. It is equivalent to Truvada or generic versions of Truvada. People taking PrEP should initially ensure that they are HIV-negative and, while on PrEP, should also undergo regular follow-ups to monitor any side effects, as recommended by the Reference Group on Antiviral Therapy (RAV).
At present, as far as we can see, there are no barriers to implementing PrEP: approval, funding and guidelines for treatment and who is eligible for PrEP are in place, yet the county council is delaying implementation. The result is that PrEP is not available in a patient-safe way to people who would benefit from it. Venhälsan, the single most important HIV/STI clinic for MSM, has stated that it does not have the financial capacity to either prescribe PrEP or offer follow-ups to those who have privately imported it.
RFSL Stockholm therefore demands:
- that SLL urgently introduce an orderly program for PrEP prescription based on the treatment guidelines issued by the RAV, and
- that Venhälsan at Södersjukhuset be given a specific mandate and funding to set up a PrEP program.
Read the full position paper here; Position paper on PrEP_20171205
