BC just lost its last two excuses not to cover the pill that prevents HIV

published on November 10, 2017 by Niko Bell, in Xtra

New proposal would cover 5,000 PrEP prescriptions by 2019

One of the province’s most respected HIV/AIDS specialists has publicly announced that coverage for an effective HIV-prevention drug doesn’t have to cost BC taxpayers a dime.

Julio Montaner, the head of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, told a room full of doctors and activists Nov 6, 2017, that his centre has negotiated a deal with generic drug manufacturers that could deliver the treatment without swelling the budget.

“The message is, we’re ready,” Montaner told Xtra following his announcement. “It’s time to do this.”

During this year’s provincial election, now-Premier John Horgan said it was “a mystery” why coverage wasn’t already provided for PrEP, a treatment that effectively eliminates the risk of contracting HIV. But since forming government, the NDP have stalled, citing costs and a need for more review from the Centre for Excellence.

Montaner’s announcement undermines the government’s case for stalling, leaving HIV/AIDS activists and health care professionals wondering what the province is waiting for.

“The ball is pretty firmly in the province’s court now,” says Jody Jollimore, managing director of the Community Based Research Centre in Vancouver.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is one of the most promising new tools for HIV prevention. Studies show that people who take the pill every day are at almost no risk of contracting HIV.

View the full article >>

Tags:

Treatment as Prevention®

Julio Montaner

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Search form

BC just lost its last two excuses not to cover the pill that prevents HIV

Search form