Free PEP in NYC

The Men's Sexual Health Project in New York City will offer emergency HIV post-exposure prophylaxis for free in a new program called "M*SHP minus 36:00."

Joe.My.God. reports on the program made possible by support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation to provide HIV post-exposure prophylaxis "in a streamlined and community-appropriate way."

According to the announcement, "PEP has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for high risk sexual exposures since 2006, but very few men in NYC are aware of what PEP is or how to get it. PEP is using HIV medications after a potential exposure to prevent HIV infection. Study after study has demonstrated that PEP works, but if people are unaware of the intervention (or it is hard to get), PEP doesn't really have a chance to make an impact. Time is of the essence. PEP has to be started within 36 hrs to have maximal effect and continued for 28 days after exposure. Lack of knowledge and medical barriers (like long, unpleasant ER visits, financial concerns, etc) makes PEP nearly inaccessible. M*SHP will introduce its new program dubbed "M*SHP minus 36:00" to provide instant, free access to PEP drugs and connection to follow up services and care."