The Spanish government will approve free PrEP distribution as of November 1st
22 Oct 2019 by
In Europe, the HIV pill called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) was approved in 2016. Now, three years later, PrEP in Spain will be included in the pharmaceutical plan of the National Health System as of November 1st. PrEP is a treatment to prevent HIV infection in those at high risk of contracting the disease. According to […]
In Europe, the HIV pill called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) was approved in 2016. Now, three years later, PrEP in Spain will be included in the pharmaceutical plan of the National Health System as of November 1st.
PrEP is a treatment to prevent HIV infection in those at high risk of contracting the disease. According to several verified studies, if taken daily, PrEP (a combination of two HIV medicines) reduces the chances of contracting the virus that causes AIDS through sex or by 90%.
Who can benefit from PrEP in Spain
According to recent information from the Ministry of Health, PrEP will be financed by Public Health only for two “risk groups” that can acquire the pill for free.
The first one refers to “men who have sex with men” and “HIV-negative transsexual persons” over 18 years old and who meet the following criteria:
- More than ten different sexual partners in the last year.
- Unprotected anal sex practice in the last year.
- Administration of post-exposure prophylaxis several times in the last year.
- At least one bacterial STI in the last year.
The other of those considered «risk groups» for the Ministry of Health is «HIV negative sex workers who refer to an unusual use of condoms».
One more complementary step
It is important to be aware of how HIV works and of all the measures we have at our disposal to prevent infection. That is why, from the Ministry, they affirm that the implementation of PrEP in Spain is «framed PrEP as an additional and complementary measure to those already existing».
It is estimated that some 17,000 people throughout Spain will be able to benefit from this measure. It is a treatment that will not be sold in pharmacies but is “hospital use”. It will only be dispensed in pharmacies in hospitals or authorized healthcare centers.
From Axel Hotels we are very happy that this treatment has been distributed, which has proven its effectiveness and that helps to protect certain groups at risk for HIV, as well as to guarantee the sexual health of all and every one of us.