Will This PrEP Decision Be Potentially Dangerous For It’s Users?
If you’re a daily member of the LGBTQ community, or a big fan of medicine, chances are you know about PrEP. PrEP is an anti-HIV medication that keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected. By now, it’s likely that you know someone who takes the daily medicine and swears by it. PrEP has become a hot topic within the LGBTQ community in the last few years, including the few instances where someone has still been infected with HIV while taking the medication. Those who are at risk of HIV, AKA everyone, in California are about to have much easier access to the drug.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared PrEP and PEP, a post-exposure treatment, will now be available widely in California since you’ll be able to retrieve it over the counter without a prescription or health insurance in an effort to fight against HIV and AIDS. Newsom told:
“Recent breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of HIV can literally save lives. All Californians deserve access to PrEP and PEP, two treatments that have transformed our fight against HIV and AIDS. I applaud the Legislature for taking action to expand access to these treatments and getting us close to ending HIV and AIDS for good. California will use our market power and our moral power to take on big drug companies and prevent them from keeping affordable generic drugs out of the hands of people who need them. Competition in the pharmaceutical industry helps lower prices for Californians who rely on lifesaving treatments. California is sending a clear message that discrimination has no place in our healthcare system.”
After some further digging, I’ve discovered you still can’t walk up and grab PrEP as if it’s a bottle of Advil. The pharmacist will administrate both HIV and STI tests before giving the PrEP. It should be noted that PrEP is preferred to be taken when you are able to be supervised by a doctor as it’s possible everyone’s bodies react differently to medication. There are a flutter of articles of the potential abuse by it’s users, leading to kidney and liver problems.
CA is now the first state in the nation to give out HIV prevention pills to patients without a doctor’s prescription. All Californians deserve access to treatments for HIV and AIDS. No barriers, no stigma.https://t.co/QMUxvNty6g
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 8, 2019
For any questions you may have regarding PrEP, I suggest you check out the CDC’s website on PrEP here!
Writer’s Note: This is the opinion of one Instinct Magazine contributor and does not reflect the views of Instinct Magazine itself or fellow contributors.
H/T: Los Angeles Times
