VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for health, welcomed the government’s announcement that expanded access for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been successfully rolled out to over 2,000 British Columbians since January 1. Furstenau called for coverage of PrEP to be extended in a letter to the Health Minister in November 2017.
“Today’s announcement is a fantastic example why we should prioritize preventative health care,” said Furstenau.
“PrEP has been proven effective in preventing the contraction of HIV in both clinical trials and real-world settings, but the $500-$1,000 a month cost was a barrier for many. More than 250 British Columbians contract HIV every year, costing the healthcare system millions of dollars in treatment costs. Prevention is the most compassionate and cost-effective way to address this issue.
“B.C. has long been at the forefront of the fight against HIV. It is one of the things that makes me most proud to be a British Columbian. I applaud Minister Dix for continuing this legacy and making this sensible and potentially life-saving change.”
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