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Prescriptions for medication to stop the spread of HIV fall by 30% in B.C. during the pandemic (BCCSU HIV/AIDS)

Experts believe the number of prescriptions for PrEP — which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis — are down due to many of its users staying home and taking a break from dating during the pandemic. Truvada is a trade name for one PrEp medication used to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. (Photo credit: CBC News)
Number of new people signing up to take the medication in Vancouver also drops

When British Columbians were told to stay home and stay safe at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Denis Laferriere did exactly that.

It also meant that his dating life was put on hold. So, Laferriere decided to stop taking his daily PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication, which is used to prevent the spread of HIV.

“I just decided if I’m not going to be on the dating scene, I might as well not take it,” he said.

And it appears Laferriere is part of a trend in B.C.

There was a drop of 30 per cent in PrEP prescriptions between April and May and a 70 per cent drop in new initiations into the program, according to the Vancouver-based B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. 

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