Orange County health department has started offering free HIV prevention drug Truvada as part of a state-wide initiative that was launched last year.
“DOH-Orange is excited to now offer PrEP [Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis] in the community to reduce the risk of transmission of the HIV virus,” said Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of Orange County health department in a news release. “PrEP is a cutting edge, evidence based practice for HIV transmission prevention.”
To prescribe the medicine, individuals first undergo comprehensive evaluation, which includes HIV, HCV and liver function tests.
The prescription is free, but the evaluation has a fee. Individuals are charged based on a sliding fee scale.
“Consideration is then given to every patient based on their eligibility requirements, which includes their financial status and assisting them with access to PrEP services,” according to the health department.
Individuals will have a 3-month follow up visit to assess and monitor their HIV status, adherence to the medication, need to continue PrEP, review of side effects and education on prevention behaviors such as safer sex and condom use, according to the health department.
In Central Florida, Seminole County health department rolled out its PrEP program in February.
Oscoela county health department is planning to roll out its program this year. Lake County officials said they did not yet have a start date.
The state health department’s goal is to make the program available at all 67 county health departments by the end of the year, according to the agency.
For more information, call the Orange County health department’s STD Clinic at (407) 723-4170, or visit the STD Clinic at 832 W. Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32805.
Seminole County residents can schedule an appointment by calling (407) 665-3700 or Adrain Humphrey at (407) 665-3690 at the Seminole County health department. The clinic is open on Wednesday mornings, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
You can also find other PrEP locations here.
nmiller@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5158, @naseemmiller
Sign up for health newsletters “
UPDATES:
April 20: this article was updated with information about the PrEP clinic at Seminole County health department.