PrEP anti-HIV medication now available in Catalonia

The HIV preventing pre-exposure prophylaxis medication, commonly known as PrEP, is now available in Catalonia.

The drug is expected to benefit some 2,500 people considered to be at risk of contracting the virus who will be able to access this daily preventive treatment at CAP Drassanes or BCN Checkpoint in the Catalan capital as well as at another 19 AIDS centers at hospitals throughout Catalonia.

Catalan health ministry officials announced the decision to include this medication among those covered by the public health system on Friday, with Public Health Secretary Joan Guix explaining that the Catalan government will finance its provision amounting to €840,000 annually.

According to the US Center for Disease Control, taking PrEP daily reduces the risk of getting HIV through sex by about 99% and decreases it 74% for intravenous drug users.