Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 17 January 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to widen access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Work to widen eligibility for PrEP in Scotland is well underway. This has been progressed by a dedicated PrEP Short Life Working Group, comprising clinical and third sector representatives, which is developing guidance for new eligibility criteria. The goal is to ensure that anyone who is at risk of acquiring HIV is eligible to receive PrEP.
Widening eligibility will also require ensuring appropriate capacity to provide PrEP. In December 2022, the Scottish Government committed to support a pilot for an online service providing access to PrEP. Work on this is now being taken forward. If successful, in the long term, an online service could improve access, including for those living in remote or rural areas.