HIV Prevention Medication Now Available at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

(By Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio) HIV prevention medication is now available at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin's health centers.

According to Hope Kirwan with Wisconsin Public Radio, the organization announced it has started prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, and post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP.

The oral medications are taken to prevent infections from HIV, a virus that attacks cells that fight infection in the body and makes a person more vulnerable to other diseases. The virus is typically passed through sexual contact or through sharing injectable drug equipment like needles.

PrEP is a daily medication for people at risk of an HIV infection that can be up to 99 percent effective when taken as prescribed. PEP is an emergency medicine taken within 72 hours of a possible HIV exposure that can prevent the virus from taking hold in the body.

Analiese Eicher, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said the organization decided to add the service to their 22 clinics in the state after receiving requests for the medication from their patients.

"There is an HIV epidemic in the United States, and this is a way that we can help prevent that," Eicher said. "This was something that the communities we serve, the patients that we serve and see across the state are interested in, and we see it as part of the spectrum of care that we are able to provide."

Eicher said the organization has also expanded access to gender-affirming hormone therapy and added vasectomy services in the last year as part of the effort to provide a wider range of care. Planned Parenthood will provide PrEP and PEP services at in-person and telemedicine appointments.

The medications will be available at the organization's health centers or a prescription can be sent to a patient's pharmacy. Eicher said the federal government stated in 2021 that PrEP, as well as lab tests and clinic visits that are required to maintain the prescription, must be fully covered by most health insurance plans.

But a Kaiser Family Foundation report in 2022 found many patients are still charged for the medication and associated services. Cost is one of several challenges that can prevent some people from accessing the highly effective medication.

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