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Florida to become first US state to distribute free PrEP

by Tim Gibson

The US state of Florida announced its plans to provide PrEP free of charge to gay and bisexual men by the end of 2018 – making it the first US state to do so. The drug (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) if taken correctly is nearly 100% effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection. It has been listed by the World Health Organisation as an essential medicine and is already lowering rates of HIV diagnoses worldwide.

The Florida Department of Health began rolling out a state-wide initiative in October of last year. So far 16 of the 67 counties in Florida have access to the drug, but the health department pledges to supply all counties with free PrEP by the end of the year.

Mara Gamineri, a spokesperson for PrEP, said in a statement “Ensuring PrEP to those at highest risk for HIV infection, regardless of their ability to pay, is one of the four key components of the agency’s plan to eliminate HIV transmission and reduce HIV-related deaths.”

PrEP is now available at local medical centres around the state, residents who want free PrEP simply have to fill out an online form.

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