West Hollywood has been making tremendous progress in its fight against HIV/AIDS, with the passing of the HIV Zero Strategic Plan and the implementation of biomedical interventions such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The city has coordinated efforts between social service providers to address the needs of community members, resulting in a decrease in new HIV diagnoses from 60 to 22 over the past seven years.
During a town hall discussion Thursday night, Sen. Ben Allen expressed gratitude for working with the council members and acknowledged the city’s history and the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on the community. Allen highlighted the importance of accessible and affordable access to life-saving drugs and the need for better education about preventative care. Allen pledged to work with the council members to promote equitable healthcare outcomes.
In addition, Sen. Scott Weiner introduced Senate Bill 339 to remove obstacles hindering the full implementation of Senate Bill 159, which allowed pharmacists to provide PrEP and PEP without a prescription for up to 90 days. SB 339 will allow pharmacists to continue providing PrEP and PEP without limitations, making it easier for more people to access the medication.
During the event, speakers also discussed significant gaps in PrEP care, particularly in Black, Hispanic, and trans women populations. Data from 2020 showed that only 6% of all PrEP eligible Black patients and only 16% of PrEP eligible Hispanic/Latinx patients received a prescription. The speakers emphasized the need for better education about PrEP and PEP and more accessible and affordable healthcare options to combat health disparities.
The progress made in West Hollywood serves as a model for other cities in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With continued efforts and advancements in healthcare, the goal of an HIV-free future is within reach.
Ayako Miyashita Ochoa from the HIV AIDS Policy Research Center presented findings from a recent study on the implementation of SB 159, a California law that allows pharmacists to prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention. The study shows that while 92% of pharmacists have heard of PrEP and PEP, only 11% of pharmacists worked in pharmacies that are implementing this bill.
The top three barriers for non-implementing pharmacies were not having enough time or staff to add the service, no insurance coverage for the prescribing piece, and low perceived demand among clients. Pharmacists were also not regularly in the business of providing referrals to healthcare providers for follow-up, which is a requirement for PrEP and PEP.
During the presentation, Ochoa highlighted that the study’s strengths include a large sample size and a multi-disciplinary team, while limitations include a convenience sample and a focus on pharmacist perspectives. The speaker concluded that implementation of SB 159 is lagging and that more work needs to be done to streamline protocols and support pharmacists in delivering these important services.
To add context to the issue, John Erickson, Mayor Pro Tem, also spoke at the event about his experience trying to access PrEP, a life-saving medication for HIV prevention, and the barriers he faced due to unnecessary red tape. Erickson acknowledged his privilege as a white, cisgendered gay man with good insurance and questioned what it means for people who cannot access PrEP. He emphasized the importance of access to PrEP for all communities, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
Shane Nash, the chair of the Transgender Advisory Board, also shared their experience with the difficulties of accessing PrEP and highlighted the various barriers that patients face, including costs, red tape, and lack of access to healthcare providers. Both speakers discussed the need for legislative action to remove the unnecessary barriers to accessing PrEP and support pharmacies and healthcare providers in providing access to the medication.
The event also featured a panel discussion with experts in HIV prevention and treatment. One of the panelists, Aaron, responded to questions from the audience about insurance coverage for PrEP and PEP. He explained that while insurance coverage for PrEP and PEP varies by plan and state, there are federal guidelines that require insurance companies to cover PrEP and PEP as a preventive service without any cost-sharing for patients. He advised people to check with their insurance provider to understand their coverage and any criteria they need to meet.
The panel also discussed the effectiveness of PrEP and whether it is 100% effective in preventing HIV transmission. Aaron explained that while PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, it is not 100% effective and should be used in combination with other prevention methods such as condoms. He emphasized the importance of using PrEP consistently and correctly to achieve the maximum protection against HIV.
The conversation also highlighted the success of Mister, a telemedicine platform that offers free online PrEP and STI testing across all 50 states, including DC and Puerto Rico. The company has enrolled approximately 600 patients each month in California alone, with the majority being Hispanic/Latinx. Armando, a representative from Mister, explained that the company’s success is due to eliminating barriers to accessing and adhering to PrEP. They have eliminated time-consuming and uncomfortable doctor office visits by bringing required lab testing to patients through their at-home testing kit.
Overall, the event highlighted the importance of addressing the barriers to accessing PrEP and PEP, including cost, stigma, and misinformation. The speakers and panelists provided valuable information about insurance coverage, effectiveness, and best practices for using PrEP.
Have people been tested for HIV who have moved out of West Hollywood during this period? It’s possible that they were forced out of WeHo because of ridiculous rent increases that left them homeless- a much worse situation for them with regard to being less safe than they had been when they were safely housed. Judging from how the homeless count in WeHo was done (or not???). That leaves a big gap in the numbers of the original sample of people who were tested. How many men died, or moved out of the city during that time? How many of… Read more »
It’s great that they’re working to reduce the number of HIV diagnoses in our community, but I hope that they let people know that even on PrEP you can still get STIs of various types. In other words, it’s still a good idea to wear a condom, or have your partner wear one! What is with this Mistr company by the way? It seems super shady to me, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it’s the fact that they seem to making tons of money from this, when there’s people in the community don’t have access to… Read more »
There’s big money in PrEP as an extension of the HIV/AIDS Industrial Complex. Ask any HIV researcher willing to be honest, they’ve had effective cures for years for those that can afford it while the rest of us get lifetime drug cocktails.
Wow Mr Rodriguez, I did not know lesbians were at higher risk of contracting HIV. Thank you, science.