California OKs pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention meds

Pharmacists in California will be able to dispense HIV prevention pills to patients without a doctor’s prescription after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday that supporters say will greatly reduce spre of infection. vocates of Senate Bill 159 say California is first state to authorize pre-exposure prophylaxis, also called PrEP, and post-exposure prophylaxis, kwn as PEP, without prescriptions. California is alrey considered a leer in AIDS prevention, y say.

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'Significantly reduces risk of infection'

PrEP is a once-daily pill for HIV-negative people while PEP is a medication that people take to prevent virus from taking hold. Supporters say PEP significantly reduces risk of infection, but only if started within 72 hours of exposure to virus. t everyone can get to a doctor in that time frame, says Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California. “ ability to go into a pharmacy to avail mselves of medication is a huge improvement to removing a barrier,” he said. He says law will greatly improve access and help reduce stigma around drugs, especially in rural areas and among mirities.

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California Medical Association turns neutral

Nearly 30,000 people in California use PrEP and 6,000 use PEP, according to California Health Benefits Review Program, which provides analysis to Legislature. California Medical Association was initially opposed to legislation but became neutral on it after it was amended to limit number of PrEP pills patients can get without a physician’s te to 60 days, said Anthony York, spokesman for association. association was concerned about “long-term use without physician oversight,” he said. law also prohibits insurance companies from requiring patients to get prior authorization before using insurance to get drugs, eliminating ar obstacle. bill was co-authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who has publicly disclosed that he takes PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy. “To end new HIV infections, we must dramatically expand access to PrEP and PEP, yet far too many Californians who need se drugs struggle to access m,” he said.

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Emergency contraceptives and birth control allowed without a prescription

Pharmacists in California are alrey authorized to dispense emergency contraceptives and birth control without a prescription. Newsom also signed legislation Monday aimed at lowering cost of prescription drugs. new law targets so-called “pay for delay” agreements, when makers of brand-name drugs pay for makers of similar generic drugs to delay putting products on market. new law presumes such arrangements are anti-competitive and steps up enforcement to stop m. Drug companies argue bill will cause more delays for generic drugs by ensuring lengthy legal battles over patents.

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