The role of public health units in the delivery of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy involving the use of once daily antiretroviral medications to prevent HIV infection. Available research supports that PrEP, when used as prescribed, can prevent HIV transmission by upwards of 96%. Such findings have led to the development of research publications and guidelines supporting PrEP for individuals at high risk for HIV acquisition, such as men who have sex with men (MSM). Despite its benefit, current use of PrEP in clinical settings has been undermined by false impressions of poor efficacy of PrEP and concerns about increased risk-taking among MSM should PrEP be readily available. Furthermore, guidance for the role of public health units in PrEP access has not been well defined. While we maintain that PrEP should be available to any person who requests it, we feel that public health units should focus on those at highest risk for HIV acquisition, and, in doing so, possibly reduce local HIV rates.