Discovering that you have been diagnosed with HIV can be very overwhelming, but know that this diagnosis is just a fraction of your life story and by no means dictates who you are. With advances made in the pharmaceutical sciences, individuals living with HIV now have the opportunity to lead long and healthy lives. Consistent adherence to prescribed medication therapy further plays an important role, significantly lowering the risk of transmitting HIV to others. Engage in a conversation with your healthcare provider to gain insights into the most effective medication options tailored for your specific needs. Remember, with the right support and information, you can navigate this journey of living with HIV.

In Canada, gay, bisexual, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (gbMSM) and trans women are disproportionately impacted by sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP)—explained below—is a health promotion initiative aimed to reduce and prevent STIs in these populations. Please speak to your healthcare provider for further information about whether doxycycline is right for you.

December 1st is World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day for our medsEXPERT team means working as a community to combat stigma, increase access to PrEP, PEP & HIV medications and educating community members about HIV treatment and prevention. This is how we empower our community and contribute to the United Nation’s 90-90-90 targets. Speak with one of our pharmacists or clinicians today! 

In Canada, syphilis rates have been rising steeply since 2014 among the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) population. With the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV, an increase in condomless sex amongst gbMSM was observed, which can facilitate the transmission of STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides basic medical health insurance for permanent residents of Ontario. If you’re an international or exchange student currently enrolled in an Ontario university, the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) provides many of the same health services and treatments that are covered by OHIP. 

PrEP is part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that involves more than just taking pills. Routine medical appointments as well as HIV and other STI testing should be a part of the process.