In October of 2017 the Florida Department of Health began a program to work with all 67 counties on a PrEP initiative. Only 16 counties are on board so far, but by the end of 2018, all counties should have the drug available for gay and bisexual men across the state in an attempt to reduce HIV-infections.
PrEP – also known as Truvada – is an anti-HIV medication taken by people who are HIV negative to lower their risk of contracting the infection, and is reportedly 100% effective if taken properly.
Mara Gambineri – spokersperson for PrEP – said: “Ensuring PrEP to those at highest risk for HIV infection, regardless of their ability to pay, is one of the four key components of the agency’s plan to eliminate HIV transmission and reduce HIV-related deaths.” – gaytimes.co.uk
I live in Florida and I didn't even know about this program! I knew that PrEP is currently available at local health department offices and medical centers in most of Florida. If Floridians want access to free PrEP, they will need to fill out this handy form.
“There have been no reported occurrences of widespread PrEP failure here or around the world,” they reassured.
The World Health Organization (WHO) added PrEP to its list of ‘essential medicines’, after Scotland announced they would be the first country to make the “life-changing” treatment available on the NHS.
“For every person who would have become HIV positive without PrEP, NHS Scotland will save £360,000 [just shy of half a million American dollars] in lifetime treatment costs,” said Robert McKay, the National Director for Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland. – gaytimes.co.uk
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