Community pharmacies could expand PrEP access to help prevent HIV

Press release issued: 20 November 2024

A new study has found that community pharmacies could play a significant role in expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective pill for preventing HIV infection. The researchers found that pharmacies could provide a more convenient and discreet option for those who are underserved by the current model of PrEP delivery through sexual health clinics in England.

The stigma surrounding sexual health services and their potentially inconvenient locations prevent some people from accessing PrEP. These barriers may disproportionately affect women, people from global majority communities and transgender people who may be at risk of acquiring HIV but are less likely to access PrEP through sexual health clinics.

Paper: Harrison C et al. (2024). Qualitative exploration of the barriers and facilitators to community pharmacy PrEP delivery for UK pharmacists and underserved community members using the COM-B model of behaviour change. Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Read the full news story on the Centre for Academic Primary Care webpages