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HIV+ ACT UP – PrEP – Sexual Health PrEP UPDATE
While new HIV diagnoses continue to be at an all-time high for gay and bisexual men in Ireland, the government needs to make sure PrEP is fully accessible, says Andrew Leavitt of ACT UP Dublin. Image by Will St Leger. As of January <strong>2018</strong>, preliminary figures released by Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) show 506 newly reported HIV diagnoses in Ireland in 2017. These latest figures match closely with record high figures of 508 in 2016. It’s clear Ireland has a HIV crisis and one that is disproportionally affecting gay and bisexual men. The good news is that we have the best tools that science can offer to prevent HIV and halt its onward transmission. PrEP & Clinical Support Although PrEP has not been widely available or accessible in Ireland, we know that a considerable number of people here have been self-sourcing generic versions of PrEP via online suppliers. With the recent availability of generic PrEP from Irish pharmacies, we expect the number of people using PrEP in Ireland to continue to increase. Getting proper medical support is a crucial part of safely using PrEP, and a number of medical tests are needed before you start and while you continue to use it. The Gay Men’s Health Service on Baggot Street in Dublin opened the first clinic specifically for people using PrEP in Ireland in November. This walk-in clinic offers users information on how to get and use PrEP, along with a consultation with a supportive doctor who can answer questions about PrEP and provide a prescription. It runs every Thursday morning from 10am to noon. Just a few weeks later, the Mater Hospital announced the start of its own Prevention Support Clinic for PrEP users. This clinic is by appointment, and to make one you can email psc@mater.ie. Having access to these dedicated clinical services is a big step forward in meeting the needs of those of us already using PrEP, and in preparing the health services for delivering PrEP when the HSE begins to provide it directly. Generic PrEP in Ireland Teva Pharmaceuticals began marketing their generic PrEP product in Irish pharmacies from Monday, December 4, last year. Although prices will be set by individual pharmacies, it’s expected that it will cost between €85 and €100 for a bottle of 30 pills. This is about the same price-range as a similar product that recently became available in the Netherlands. Currently there are over 100 pharmacies in 20 counties stocking generic PrEP. The number of pharmacies stocking PrEP will likely continue to grow and competition between pharmacies may mean prices fall a bit further. Some key points about this development: • PrEP is not yet available through the HSE. This product is only available at full retail price. There is no discount for medical card holders or anyone else. • It’s vital that any potential prescribing doctors and dispensing pharmacists are properly informed about what tests are needed to support PrEP users, and that they understand the different dosing regimens so that they can offer informed guidance to users. • The availability of generic PrEP in community pharmacies is a result of a private company taking the opportunity to directly market a product because the health service has failed to make it available. Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, the Department of Health or the HSE did not do anything to make this happen. • It’s imperative that we keep the pressure on the Department of Health and the HSE to make PrEP available and accessible immediately. Teva’s shown that generic companies can offer their product at a fraction of what Gilead asks, removing the biggest obstacle to PrEP access. It’s time for the Department of Health and HSE to become proactive and take advantage of this historic opportunity to deliver PrEP in Ireland. GetPrep.online GetPrEP.online is a new website created and launched by a Dublin-based group of individuals to provide information specifically for people living in Ireland about getting and using PrEP. It is entirely volunteer-run and independent of the HSE or any NGOs. All costs related to creating this site were paid using their own funds. GetPrEP.online creators want to ensure that current or potential PrEP users in Ireland can find clear and up-to-date information to support them in making informed decisions about their sexual health. Visit www.getPrEP.online and see if PrEP is right for you 25 g
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