B.C. approves coverage of HIV-blocking drug for high-risk groups

Activists are applauding the B.C. government for approving coverage of an HIV-prevention drug for those at high-risk of infection.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Health announced that access to pre-exposure prophylaxis – better known as PrEP – will be free of charge beginning Jan. 1 for men and transwomen who have sex with men, injection drug users and people who have sex with HIV-positive people.

Sold under the brand name Truvada, the drug was approved by Health Canada last year and can be prescribed as both a treatment for people with the disease, as well as a preventative therapy to keep people at high risk from contracting the virus.

“Making this medication free for people will prevent new HIV infections, remove barriers to care and services and help people live longer and healthier lives,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix in a statement.

PrEP is recommended as a preventative measure by the World Health Organization and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

Some studies have found it can cut the risk of HIV infection by up to 90 per cent if taken before or after sex.

Managing director of the Community Based Research Centre (CBRC) Jody Jollimore said the news once again positions B.C. as an HIV prevention leader.

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During the Canada Post strike announced September 25, 2025, the following measures will be undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. Results required urgently can be faxed upon request. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office. (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. We recommend requesting medication at least 2 weeks in advance in case of delivery delays, particularly to rural/remote parts of BC. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

During the Canada Post strike, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service

The BC-CfE Laboratory is streamlining reporting processes for certain tests in order to simplify distribution and record-keeping, and to ensure completeness of results. Beginning September 2, 2025, results for the ‘Resistance Analysis of HIV-1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase’ (Protease-RT) and ‘HIV-1 Integrase Resistance Genotype’ tests will be combined into a single ‘HIV-1 Resistance Genotype Report’.
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