PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a treatment and is part of specialism hiv care

What is PrEP?

PrEP is the abbreviation for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It prevents infection. It’s a tablet to protect you against HIV infection. The tablet consists of two active ingredients: emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. These substances are also used as HIV inhibitors. The safety and effectiveness of PrEP as prophylaxis have been proven. Various studies have confirmed the effectiveness if you adhere faithfully to the therapy.


In the Netherlands there are hundreds of new HIV infections each year. Fortunately, the trend has clearly been downwards in the past few years. PrEP can contribute to reducing the transmission of HIV from one person to the next. This lowers the number of infections.


The HIV treatment centre has ascertained that the use of PrEP requires careful medical supervision. Experience has shown that PrEP use reduces the anxiety about HIV and positively affects the experience of sexuality.


PrEP in the HIV treatment centre

In July 2018 the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport decided to provide PrEP care to people at high risk of HIV infection. Since this decision was taken, the GGD public health department has provided this care for PrEP. There are also GPs who provide this supervision. Because the demand was greater than the supply and not everyone has access to the GGD, the HIV treatment centre decided in 2018 to also provide PrEP care (provisionally). Expansion of the GGD means that from 1 January 2022, everyone has access to the GGD. If the capacity there is too small, you are welcome to come to the HIV treatment centre.

Obtaining PrEP

Making an appointment

To make an appointment, you need a referral from your GP/doctor.

Explanation

During the appointment, you will receive a detailed explanation of how PrEP works and instructions for taking this prophylaxis safely.

Prescription

After the examinations, you can collect your PrEP at the pharmacy with your prescription. It costs €25 per month with daily use and is not reimbursed.

Follow-up appointment

One month after you start taking PrEP, you attend a follow-up appointment for lab testing and counselling. After that, an appointment at the HIV treatment centre takes place just once every three months.


Consult the GGD Amsterdam website for more information. It also gives the updated waiting lists.