HHS Launches Preventive HIV Program, Increases Access for Uninsured

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the latest component of the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) initiative this week—a new program increasing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people without prescription drug insurance coverage.

Under the new program, Ready, Set, PrEP, HHS explained that the preventive HIV medication, will be made available at no cost to individuals who have tested negative for HIV and possess a valid, on-label prescription.

Truvada and Descovy, both manufactured by Gilead, are the FDA-approved PrEP products that will be provided to qualified individuals under the new program. This follows a deal announced last May 2019 when Gilead pledged to donate 2.4 million bottles of Truvada annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of the prevention effort for uninsured, at risk Americans.

Over one million people are at risk for contracting HIV in the United States but only a small fraction has had the preventive medication available to them. “EHE aims to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the United States by 75% in five years and by 90% in 10 years,” according to HHS.

“PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV infection when taken as directed,” said Assistant Secretary for Health Brett P Giroir, MD, in the HHS press release. “It is a critical tool for ending the HIV epidemic, but to make an impact it has to be available for people who need it most. Ready, Set, PrEP will increase access to this effective and preventive drug for people at risk.”

—Edan Stanley

Reference:
US Department of Health and Human Services. Ready, Set, PrEP Expands Access to Medication to Prevent HIV [press release]. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/12/03/ready-set-prep-expands-access-to-medication-to-prevent-hiv.html. Published December 3, 2019. Accessed December 4, 2019.