Provisions for the Pre-Exposition Prophylaxis pill or the PrEP pill for HIV prevention have been started since yesterday. This pill is mostly for homosexual men who have a higher risk of contracting HIV. The Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) estimates that 8500 participants will be interested in getting the pill, reports NOS.
However, the GGDs are going to be receiving a subsidy from the Ministry of Health of 22 million euros. This amount is based on 6500 participants and will be given over a period of five years.
Therefore, Rinske van der Bij of the national PrEP coordination team from the GGD says that they will be giving priority to certain groups of men. She says, “for example, we can look at homosexual men under the age of 25 because they often have varying sexual contacts. But homosexual asylum seekers are also at risk. We cannot serve everyone.”
This is great! Many lives will be saved and costs reduced in the long term. In addition to condoms this should prevent and decrease the spread of HIV.