PrEP - Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
PROCEED INC. was founded on the principles of providing accessible, high-quality HIV prevention services during the early HIV healthcare crisis and is committed to ending the HIV epidemic. Truvada and Descovy for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) have been proven highly effective and safe for HIV prevention when initiated prior to exposure to HIV.
For key populations vulnerable to acquiring HIV with a history of condomless use, PrEP is a highly effective biomedical prevention option that if taken consistently will prevent HIV transmission. People who engage in high-risk behaviors of new HIV transmission should be able to initiate PrEP.
PROCEED’s PrEP program has clients who are often most vulnerable of acquiring HIV. PrEP access is integral to harm reduction and client empowerment; clients can engage in preventative healthcare and often initiating PrEP will empower people remain engaged in care.
A typical PrEP initiation takes 1-2 weeks from the screening visit with our PrEP counselor to the treatment initiation visit. PrEP will provide a highly effective protective factor against HIV.
Eligibility
Clients who have a documented negative HIV Rapid test in our office, and who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible for PrEP initiation:
- Have engaged in hish-risk behaviros of exposure to HIV during the period from the PrEP screening visit.
- Have a documented positive STI or symptoms at current or last visit.
- Are partnered with a person who lives with HIV either detectable or unknown HIV viral loads, or history of inconsistent engagement in care or adherence to ARV medications
Procedure
- Clients will be seen by our PrEP counselor who will determine clinical eligibility for PrEP and assess with the patient the option of initiation. Client will then be given a 7 day pill organzier, condoms, lubricant and all the correct education about PrEP and HIV/STI prevention.
- If client is clinically eligible for and interested in start PrEP, our PrEP counselor will order the required PrEP initiation appointment to do all the lab work and medical screening with Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center in Newark.
- Clients with or without medical insurance will be loaded with three refills of Descovy or Truvada for PrEP in the Dr’s office from their prescription. If client is uninsured, the client will meet with Mary Eliza Mahoney health Center staff for medical services access support and our PrEP counselor will oversee getting PrEP through Gilead Advancing Access Program. Uninsured clients will need to meet with our PrEP counselor prior to receive first prescription to complete Gilead AA application and apply for medical insurance, if eligible.
- Clients will be counseled on safer sex practices and on the importance of medication adherence. They will complete an adherence plan that will be included in the clients’ EMR and will be reassessed every 3 months.
- Patients will pick up their medication monthly at the pharmacy they choose. However, the client is always encouraged to choose the prescription from Crossroads Pharmacy which helps clients with other medication if needed.
For more information contact:
Dr. Elizabeth Pineros
908-469-3200 Ext.251
epineros@proceedinc.com
Frank Montenegro
908-666-2374
fmontenegro@proceedinc.com