Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2024
Abstract
Background:
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remains low among people who could benefit, some of whom may prefer alternatives to oral PrEP, such as long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP). We evaluated the potential for LAI-PrEP provision in pharmacies through a mixed methods study of pharmacists in California, where Senate Bill 159 enables pharmacists to independently provide oral PrEP.
Methods:
In 2022–2023, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey of California pharmacists and pharmacy students (n = 919) and in-depth interviews with pharmacists (n = 30), both of which included modules assessing attitudes about PrEP provision. Using log-binomial regression, we estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) comparing survey participants' willingness to provide LAI-PrEP by pharmacy- and individual-level characteristics. Qualitative interview data were analyzed using Rapid Qualitative Analysis to identify factors that may affect pharmacists' provision of LAI-PrEP.
Results:
Half of the survey participants (53%) indicated that they would be willing to administer LAI-PrEP using gluteal injection in their pharmacy. Willingness was higher among participants who worked in pharmacies that provided vaccinations or other injections (56% vs. 46%; PR: 1.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.0–1.4) and/or oral PrEP under Senate Bill 159 (65% vs. 51%; PR: 1.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.1–1.5) than among participants whose pharmacies did not. Interviewed participants reported barriers to LAI-PrEP provision, including the need for increased training and staffing, a private room for gluteal injections, better medication access, and payment for services.
Conclusion:
Pharmacies offer a promising setting for increased LAI-PrEP access. However, pharmacists may require additional training, resources, and policy changes to make implementation feasible.
Recommended Citation
Beltran RM, Hunter LA, Packel LJ, et al. A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Pharmacists' Readiness to Provide Long-Acting Injectable HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in California. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2024;97(2):142-149. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000003470
Supplemental Digital Content
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
This article was originally published in JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, volume 97, issue 2, in 2024. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000003470