I’ve had to get PrEP in several countries, so here is a cheatsheet. It’s not so easy in every country, especially for immigrants.
United States
- Free under the Affordable Care Act (see page 3 under “Coverage of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis”)
- Any family doctor can prescribe it.
- Get it at a pharmacy
Netherlands
https://www.mantotman.nl/nl/snel-regelen/prep-tegen-hiv
At the GGD,
- Long waiting lines
- Call your local GGD for appointment https://www.ggd.nl/
- They will ask you questions like top/bottom, condom use, group sex, etc. Answer honestly, but be as risky as possible. Mentioning things like fear of being stealthed can help.
- Insurance might not cover PrEP. No legal mandate AFAIK.
Alternatives are at a family doctor and https://prep-direct.nl/.
Latvia
- Get a referral for an “Infectologist” (infektologs) from your GP (“ģimenes ārsts”)
- Find an infektologist on https://eveselibaspunkts.lv/en. You can also check https://vc4.lv/pakalpojumi/arstnieciba/infektologija/
- Ask the infektologist for PrEP to be compensated. According to the law https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=147522, HIV infection risk (Z20.6 “Iespēja inficēties un kontakts ar humānā imūndeficīta vīrusu”) should be 100% compensated. See also drug code J05AR03 in the “A saraksts” https://www.vmnvd.gov.lv/lv/kompensejamo-zalu-saraksti.
- After the infektologist prescribes it, your GP can renew the prescription.
Estonia
Currently figuring this out, so below might be wrong
- Get an appointment with an infektologist
Other countries?
Add comments below :)
In the UK, prEP is available from sexual health clinics across the country. Just ask your GP or at your local pharmacy. I believe it’s also covered by the NHS.