HHS Collaborates with National Pharmacies to Expand PrEP Access

Content From: Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublished: March 27, 20202 min read

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Beginning April 1, 2020, patients enrolled in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Ready, Set, PrEP program will fill their prescription for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication at no cost at their choice of Avita PharmacyExit Disclaimer, CVS HealthExit Disclaimer, Health MartExit Disclaimer, Longs Pharmacy SolutionsExit Disclaimer, Rite AidExit Disclaimer, and WalgreensExit Disclaimer locations or through mail.

Ready, Set, PrEP is a nationwide program led by HHS and an essential component of the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative. Ready, Set, PrEP provides PrEP medications to individuals who qualify, increasing access to PrEP medications, reducing new HIV infections, and bringing us one step closer to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.

Recognizing the importance of expanded access to HIV PrEP medications, these pharmacies are donating their dispensing and mailing services at over 24,500 pharmacy locations nationwide. This represents about a third of all the pharmacies in the United States, with locations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The donation provides a valuable service to those using PrEP and results in substantial cost savings to the federal government.

To receive PrEP medication through Ready, Set, PrEP, patients must:

  • Test negative for HIV;
  • Have a valid prescription from your healthcare provider; and
  • Not have health insurance coverage for outpatient prescription drugs.

Before enrolling in Ready, Set, PrEP, talk to a healthcare provider to see if PrEP medication is right for you.  If you do not have a provider, you can find one at the HIV.gov Locator.

Enrolled patients do not pay for filling their prescription through these pharmacies or for the PrEP medicine, though the costs of clinic visits and lab test costs may vary depending on income.

Once you have the necessary prescription, visit GetYourPrEP.com or call toll-free 855-447-8410 to qualify and enroll. When completing the enrollment form, you must include the name of the healthcare provider who wrote your prescription.

If you have any problems enrolling, call 855-447-8410 or ask for assistance in-person at a healthcare provider’s office, including a community health center, where trained staff can provide support.

Visit the new Ready, Set, PrEP Pharmacies page on HIV.gov.