Where To Get Pep Pills In South Africa
What are PEP Pills?
PEP (sometimes called PEPSE) is a combination of HIV drugs that can stop the virus taking hold. It can be used after the event if you’ve been at risk of HIV transmission. To work, PEP must be taken within 72 hours (three days), and ideally should be taken within 24 hours.
Where To Get Pep Pills In South Africa
You can’t get PEP pills over the counter because you need a prescription from a doctor or nurse. “PEP is available at any local government or private clinic and hospital, and any other primary healthcare facility such as Thuthuzela Care Centres,” explained clinical associate Kutlwano Leotlela.
Go to a health clinic. If they operate an appointments system and are fully booked, explain that it’s an emergency and that you need to be seen. If your local sexual health clinic is not open (for example, at the weekend), go to an accident and emergency (A&E) department at a hospital, where staff will contact an HIV specialist able to prescribe PEP. GPs (family doctors) cannot prescribe PEP.
Where can I buy PrEP pills in South Africa?
PrEP is currently available for MSM and sex workers at no user cost in the public sector at selected state facilities. PrEP is available for MSM at the Ivan Toms Centre for Men’s Health in Cape Town (021 447 2844) and Health4Men at Yeoville clinic in Gauteng (011 648 7979 or 072 654 0816).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible for PEP?
PEP may be prescribed for people who are HIV negative or do not know their HIV status, and who in the last 72 hours: May have been exposed to HIV during sex. Shared needles or other equipment (works) to inject drugs. Were sexually assaulted.
Can I get PEP at pharmacy South Africa?
While pharmacists have not yet been authorised to prescribe ART, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), or PrEP in South Africa, the EPIC consortium has piloted the initiation of ART, PEP, and PrEP at multiple pharmacies across the country – including in both independent and corporate pharmacies.
Can I get PEP pills in pharmacy?
If you decide to start PEP at the pharmacy, the pharmacist will work with you to arrange an appointment with a health care provider as soon as possible, within 1-3 days.
How much do PrEP pills cost in South Africa?
South Africa approved the use of PrEP in 2015 — it is available in the private health sector at a monthly cost of about R250 and the health department provides it for free at demonstration sites to high risk groups such as sex workers, men who have sex with men and young women.
Can I get PrEP at the chemist in South Africa?
PrEP was approved by South Africa’s Medicines Control Council, so yes, yes. Prescriptions for PrEP must be provided by the pharmacist if you want it over the counter. You would need to be tested for HIV and made sure there is no HIV present before visiting your GP.
Can I get PEP over the counter?
You can buy the emergency contraceptive pill from chemists, and it is usually also available from GPs, sexual health clinics and A&E departments.
Is PEP same as ARVs?
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the short-term use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) to reduce the probability of contracting HIV after potential exposure, either occupational (through a work-related accident) or non-occupational (for example, during unprotected sex, rape, or the use of contaminated injection supplies).
Can I get PEP at public clinic?
PEP is available from Emergency Departments of most public hospitals, sexual health clinics and some other clinics and doctors that specialise in gay men’s health and HIV.
How can I buy PEP?
How do I get PEP? You can get PEP from emergency rooms. It might also be available at some health clinics or Planned Parenthood health centers, and some doctors’ offices, but call first to make sure they have PEP in stock.
Can I take PEP after 5 days?
It can be used after the event if you’ve been at risk of HIV transmission. To work, PEP must be taken within 72 hours (three days), and ideally should be taken within 24 hours. PEP is not a ‘morning after pill’ for HIV, and it’s not guaranteed to work.
How effective is PEP after 48 hours?
Another study suggested PEP was approximately 65% efficacious in preventing transmission to infants born to untreated HIV infected women when initiated within 48 hours of peripartum exposure.