SUPPORT & EDUCATION FOR HIV, HEPATITIS & STIs

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PrEP

Government Coverage of PrEP in Nova Scotia

The government of Nova Scotia has added PrEP to the provincial formulary and as a benefit under provincial Pharmacare programs.

At this time Pharmacare is the only government coverage available. People enrolled in Pharmacare programs are assessed based on their income, and charged premiums and co-pays according to their income level and number of people in their family. For example, Family Pharmacare has a cap on what you will pay annually, and this co-pay and premium is paid upfront and all at once. For more information about Pharmacare, visit https://novascotia.ca/dhw/pharmacare/.

An Intro To PrEP for HIV Prevention

In February 2016, Health Canada approved the use of daily Truvada as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for reducing the risk of transmission of HIV. Many people have not yet heard of PrEP, or if they have are not sure what to make of it. As well, many healthcare providers are unsure of how to proceed when a patient asks them about it.

If you have any questions or concerns re PrEP that are not covered on this page, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Also - check out the new video of the  "PrEP - The Pill to Prevent HIV: public information session" (scroll down to the bottom of this page) that took place on Jan. 31, 2018 at the Halifax Central Public Library. It was a great presentation and Q&A session with much valuable information shared.

So here’s some FAQs and resources to get started.

 

VIDEO: PrEP - The Pill to Prevent HIV: public information session (Halifax, NS - 2018)

Join moderator Renée Masching, plus our panelists at the Paul O`Regan Hall of the Halifax Central Library. The event includes an introductory presentation, followed by an open Q&A taped on Jan. 31st, 2018.

The panel included: San Patten (Health Research Consultant); Dr. Matt Numer (Health Promotion Professor, Dalhousie University); Chris Aucoin (HIV Prevention Coordinator, AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia); and Dr. Glenn Andrea (Medical Director, Dalhousie University Student Health & Wellness Centre).

This event was organized by the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia in partnership with the Nova Scotia PrEP Working Group, the Halifax Central Public Library, and the Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS. 

Media

VIDEO: PrEP - The Pill to Prevent HIV: public information session (Halifax, NS - 2018)

PrEP: Just the Basics
Here is a video that is good as a quick int PrEP from Ontario’s Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance:  http://thesexyouwant.ca/prep/?v=prep

The Nova Scotia PrEP Working Group
At this time there is still uncertainty as to what extent public and private insurance plans cover PrEP in Nova Scotia, and a general lack of up-to-date information at all levels re PrEP.  The “ad hoc” Nova Scotia PrEP Working Group is strategizing about overcoming educational, financial and/or policy barriers re PrEP access in our province. If you are interested in finding out more about that, or in being involved in that work, contact San Patten at san.patten@gmail.com.

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