STATE PrEP/PEP PRIMER
PROVIDING PrEP/PEP IN THE PHARMACY SETTING MAINE EDITION
WHAT On June 17, 2021, the governor of Maine signed L.D. 1115, An Act to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Medications.1 This bill aims to expand access to preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention.1 PrEP is the use of specific combinations of antiretroviral agents to reduce the risk of HIV infection in appropriately identified and evaluated HIV-negative individuals, and PEP uses specific combinations of antiretroviral agents to prevent infection in appropriately identified
and evaluated HIV-negative people who have had a single exposure that presents a substantial risk for HIV acquisition.2,3 According to L.D. 1115, pharmacists may prescribe, dispense, and administer PrEP and PEP drugs, including ordering HIV tests as needed. They can also make referrals for patients to seek additional services for care and treatment. The act states1:
“Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and as authorized by the board in accordance with rules adopted under subsection 3, a pharmacist may prescribe, dispense and administer HIV prevention drugs pursuant to a standing order or collaborative practice agreement or to protocols developed by the board for when there is no prescription drug order, standing order or collaborative practice agreement in accordance with the requirements in this subsection and may also order laboratory testing for HIV infection as necessary.” The bill can be found here: https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/ statutes/32/title32sec13786-E.pdf.1
This activity is jointly provided by Global Education Group and Integritas Communications. This activity is supported by an educational grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc.