One of the biggest breakthroughs of the AIDS epidemic was the introduction of PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis. When used correctly, PrEP is 99% effective at preventing HIV through sexual transmission. Allies for Health + Wellbeing has offered PrEP since 2016, when the medical clinic opened.
“Too many people don’t know it exists,” said Jacque DeRubbo, senior director of clinical services at Allies, noting that outside the HIV space, even in the medical field, knowledge about the disease and its prevention may be limited. “Some people are naïve to how many people are on PrEP and what it is doing for people – keeping them safe, keeping the spread of HIV down.”
Today, there are more PrEP options than ever before, and patients and providers can work together to determine what method would work best with a person’s lifestyle and preferences. At Allies, patients have the option for three different kinds of PrEP:
- Once-daily pills
- Injections every two months
- Two injections twice a year
“A lot of it is patient preference,” DeRubbo said, “but a lot of it has to do with adherence. There are so many variables, but the nice thing is the providers do sit down with them and go through their social history. A lot of people who don’t have stable housing want to go with one of the injectables. Some people don’t want to take a pill every day, and they’ll tell you that. Maybe someone has a fear of needles. The providers really take their time and assess the situation and the medical need and make that decision with the patient, keeping the patient involved in their care.”
For patients who are concerned about the cost of PrEP, pharmaceutical companies offer assistance programs to help people get the medication they need. And before providing a PrEP prescription, Allies staff will determine what the out-of-pocket costs will be and whether or not a patient is eligible for assistance.
“Anyone who feels like they can’t cover the copay or the cost, we see if there are any programs available,” DeRubbo said. “We’ll make sure and go through exactly what the cost will be.”
Regardless of the method a patient chooses, PrEP is an important tool toward ending the HIV epidemic.
“The more we get the word out there, the better it is for everyone,” DeRubbo said. “You can feel safe about having sex and not having to worry about getting HIV.”
In spring 2025, Allies for Health + Wellbeing launched the Allies Patient Care Fund. When you donate to this fund, 100% of your donation pays for medical services at Allies: clinic visits, prescriptions and specialist referrals. Your support connects patients to the care they need, like PrEP. Click here(opens in a new tab) or the button below to contribute to the Allies Patient Care Fund today!
