Senate Bill 339 (SB 339) is a bill that was introduced in the California State Senate in January 2023. The bill would expand access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) by allowing pharmacists to dispense these medications without a doctor's prescription.
PrEP is a medication that can prevent HIV infection in HIV-negative people. PEP is a medication that can prevent HIV infection after a potential exposure to the virus. Both PrEP and PEP are highly effective in preventing HIV infection when taken as prescribed.
SB 339 has been praised by public health advocates who say that it will make it easier for people to access these important medications. However, some doctors have expressed concerns that the bill could lead to misuse of PrEP and PEP, and that patients may not receive the necessary counseling and support before starting these medications.
The California State Senate passed SB 339 in April 2023. The bill is now being considered by the California State Assembly.
According to a 2022 study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, expanding access to PrEP through pharmacies could prevent an additional 8,700 new HIV infections in California over the next five years. The study also found that expanding access to PEP could prevent an additional 140 new HIV infections over the same period.
However, a 2021 study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that there was no increase in PrEP use after states expanded access to the medication through pharmacies. The study's authors suggested that other factors, such as stigma and lack of awareness, may be more important barriers to PrEP use than access to the medication.
Overall, the evidence on the effectiveness of expanding access to PrEP and PEP through pharmacies is mixed. Some studies suggest that it could be an effective way to prevent new HIV infections, while others suggest that it may not have a significant impact. More research is needed to determine the true impact of such programs.
It is important to note that this is a complex issue with no easy answers. There are both potential benefits and risks to expanding access to PrEP and PEP through pharmacies. It is important to weigh these risks and benefits carefully before making a decision about whether or not to support such programs.
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