Doxycycline for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection (B-STI) Prevention
NOTE: In British Columbia, the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) provides publicly funded doxycycline for the prevention of bacterial sexually transmitted infection (B-STIs) for eligible participants of the BC-CfE’s HIV PrEP Program and the HIV Treatment Program.
Please see below for eligibility and guidance on how to access the medication.
Eligibility
Persons meeting all of the following criteria are eligible to access Doxycycline for B-STI Prevention through the BC-CfE:
- Current participant of the BC-CfE HIV Treatment Program or the HIV PrEP Program, and
- Identifies as gay, bisexual or other man who has sex with men, or transgender woman, and
- Is at increased risk of B-STI as indicated either by having a history of B-STI such as syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea within the past year, or being clinically assessed as being at increased risk
- Current BC resident with BC Medical Services Plan coverage or Interim Federal Health coverage
For further information, contact the BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program office at 604-806-8515.
Enrolment & Prescription Form
Notification of Authorization
Initial Enrolment and Prescription requests are reviewed by the BC-CfE typically in one or two business days. The prescriber will be contacted if clarification is required.
A notification of an authorized request will be sent to the prescriber. After receiving notification, the prescriber should inform the client or the client’s caregiver that medication can be picked up.
Medication Dispensing
Doxycycline for B-STI prevention is available at no charge, to eligible participants of the BC-CfE’s HIV Treatment Program and the HIV PrEP Program. Medication supply is centrally managed through St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy.
Prescribers should specify on the prescription where the client will pick up medication, according to the BC-CfE program the client is enrolled in. See below for a list of authorized dispensing sites.
Initial Medication Fill
Clients should be advised their initial doxycycline medication supply will be processed and typically available for pick up 3 days after notification of authorization (or approximately 5-7 days for couriered medication). Instruct clients to pick up medication from the healthcare site specified on their prescription (typically their usual antiretroviral pick up site). For any questions or concerns about medication dispensing or pick up, please contact St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy.
Authorized Dispensing Sites
Participants of HIV PrEP Program
Vancouver | St Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy
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Outside Vancouver | If outside Vancouver, medication can be delivered to the prescriber’s office, or another healthcare site of the client’s choice, if specified on the prescription and the site has agreed to receive the shipment. Alternative arrangements may also be discussed by calling St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy 1-800-547-3622, extension 5. |
Participants of HIV Treatment Program
Vancouver | St Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy |
Downtown Clinic Pharmacy (at Downtown Community Health Clinic) | |
BC Children’s Hospital Ambulatory Care Pharmacy | |
Victoria | Royal Jubilee Prescriptions |
Nanaimo | Rexall Drugs #7181 |
Kelowna | Lakeside Medicine Centre |
Other sites | Medication can be delivered to a healthcare site (e.g. prescriber’s office, community pharmacy, or other healthcare facility) where the client picks up their HIV treatment medication. To make arrangements, or for questions, call St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy Outreach Pharmacist at (604)-806-8456. |
Refills of Doxycyline for B-STI Prevention (HIV Treatment and HIV PrEP Program Participants)
Following the initial enrolment and dispensing of doxycycline for B-STI prevention, prescription refills may be written in any legal prescription format. For convenience, prescribers may use “Doxycycline for B-STI Prevention Enrolment & Prescription Form (PDF)”. Pre-printed doxycycline refill forms will not be sent to the prescriber.
To ensure doxycycline is ready for pick up by the client, specify the desired pick-up date on the refill prescription. If pick-up date is not specified, the client or provider must call St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy, or the authorized dispensing pharmacy, to notify when they would like to pick up their medication.
Please provide minimum 3 days’ notice for picking up at St. Paul’s Ambulatory Pharmacy, and 5 business days’ notice for couriers to a healthcare site outside Vancouver.
Refill prescriptions should be faxed to the BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program Fax (604) 806-9044.
The prescriber is responsible for ensuring B-STI screening and other monitoring is performed, and that it is appropriate for the client to continue doxycycline for STI prevention medication.
Contact information
| BC-CfE Drug Treatment Programs | |
| Phone: | 604-806-8515 |
| Fax: | 604-806-9044 |
| Mail: | Room B687, 1081 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 |
Information for clients
Information for Healthcare Providers
December, 2023
Refer to BC-CfE Therapeutic Guidelines for Opportunistic Infections – Syphilis (Section IV: Prevention)