The HIV prevention pill PrEP, also known as pre-exhibition prophylaxis, was always on the market under the Truvada brand name. This drug was exclusively made by the pharmaceutical company Gilead, which had a patent on making PrEP. However, that patent expired last summer. And that's good news for the sales price.

Patent in the pharmaceutical industry

A patent ensures that only one manufacturer has the right to make a product. This was the case with PrEP; Gilead was the only pharaoh who was allowed to make that medicine. When a patent expires, the product can be produced in a generic way. This means that from then on, the medication can be copied by all other manufacturers. Because there will be a lot more suppliers, the competition is much greater. The new price of PrEP will therefore be a lot lower.

PrEP becomes a lot more accessible

Waar je vóór het verlopen van het patent nog ongeveer €550,- per maand kwijt was als je PrEP gebruikte, betaal je nu rond de €99,50 euro per maand voor PrEP. Dat scheelt per maand dus ruim €450,-. Op jaarbasis hebben we het dus over ruim €5.400,-. Zoals Louise van Deth, directeur van het Aidsfonds – SOA Aids Nederland, zegt: “Deze deal is goed nieuws voor de bestrijding van hiv in Nederland, omdat PrEP hiermee een stuk toegankelijker wordt”.

Different studies and projects

PrEP is not yet widely available. However, one in Amsterdam started a study in which 376 HIV-negative gay men and transgender people participate. This study is aimed at finding out how PrEP can best be offered in practice. In The Hague, the municipality is going to start supervising PrEP. The Haaglanden Municipal Health Service will soon be informing, guiding and monitoring clients.

About PrEP

PrEP is an HIV prevention pill and offers the possibility to prevent thousands of new HIV infections. In principle, you can use the medicine on a daily basis. If you are thinking about starting PrEP, always discuss this with a doctor. Unaccompanied use of PrEP can lead to kidney damage.

PrEP does not provide prevention to everything

PrEP prevents HIV infection, but PrEP does not prevent other STIs. Better Safe Than Sorry! Always get tested for STIs. At OneDayClinic in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Den Bosch and Rotterdam you can go right away, an STI test is affordable and you have the results within two working days.

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