Your simplified path to PrEP and Doxy-PEP, available anywhere in Quebec.

Above all, it is a confidential and non-judgmental discussion to determine the best prevention strategy with you.

Our goal is to listen to you, understand your reality, and give you all the necessary information so you can make an informed decision. This is not an interrogation.

Topics we will discuss together

• Your general health and medical history.
• Your sex life and practices, to properly assess your risk level and needs.
• Your questions and concerns about PrEP.

What you get at the end

• Clear answers to all your questions.
• An overview of the different PrEP options (daily oral, on-demand, injectable).
• The requisition for the necessary lab tests before starting.

You will leave with a clear and personalized plan for the next steps. Once your tests are done, we can quickly deliver your medication to your home for free.

We will guide you to easily complete the initial workup. Several options are available to you:

• At a public or specialized screening center

  • You can choose a sexual health clinic, a CLSC, or a hospital clinic. If needed, we will send you a requisition for additional tests (for example, for kidney function) that you can provide at your appointment. You can find a list of sexual health clinics in Quebec here.

• With Prelib centers

  • Do you know Prelib.com? Prelib offers comprehensive STI screening services, self-collection, and online appointment booking with extended hours in several regions of Quebec.

• At our pharmacy

  • With our clinical nurse, we offer appointments for complete screenings (HIV, STIs, sample collection) for patients followed by our PrEP clinic. The $45 fee (including sample transport fees) is generally reimbursable by private insurance. Book an appointment directly on our Clic Santé page.

• At a medical analysis laboratory

  • We will send you a requisition to perform all the required tests. You can then make an appointment at a public collection center or a private laboratory of your choice. Most private insurance plans reimburse the fees for private labs.
  • To make an appointment:
    • At a public center: Search for "Dépistage ITSS" or "Prise de sang" on Clic Santé.
    • At a private lab (examples): Biron, Lilium.

In any case, the procedure will be explained to you step by step.

The good news: many solutions exist to make PrEP accessible, regardless of your situation.

The final cost to you depends on your insurance coverage. Here is how it generally works in Quebec:

If you are covered by RAMQ (public plan)

PrEP (generic and certain brand names) is covered. You will only pay a portion of the cost each month until you reach a maximum annual cap, which makes the expense predictable.

If you are covered by private insurance

All private plans in Quebec cover PrEP, but the reimbursed amount varies. A personalized quote is therefore essential to know your share of the cost.

How can so many people say they pay $0?

This is thanks to the access and financial support programs offered by the drug manufacturers. The mission of these programs is to ensure that cost is never a barrier to prevention.

In practice, they can often help cover the portion you would normally have to pay after your insurance (RAMQ or private) pays its share, thus allowing many people to access the treatment at a minimal cost, or even for free.

Why can't we display prices?

Our code of ethics prohibits us, as pharmacists, from publicly advertising the price of prescription drugs. This rule ensures that the discussion about cost takes place within a professional consultation where we can analyze your overall situation but sadly prevents us from providing more detailed information.

The best way to know: a simple and confidential quote

The best first step is to contact us. With your insurance card, our team can tell you, free of charge and confidentially, exactly how much each PrEP option would cost you. We will also check your eligibility for support programs to find the most advantageous option.

Please note: Injectable PrEP is also covered by all Quebec insurance plans, including RAMQ.

Want more information?

Visit https://maprep.org/accessibilite/ (only in french) or for more information in english, visit gofreddie.com/prep-cost

Yes, and this ability is at the heart of our service to offer you simple and fast access to PrEP.

Access to PrEP prescriptions by pharmacists in Quebec is evolving. Here are the two models that make this possible:

Our current model: collaboration via a collective prescription

Currently, our pharmacy operates with a collective prescription. This is a care protocol that we have developed in close collaboration with a doctor specializing in sexual health.

This protocol recognizes our expertise and formally authorizes us to perform the assessment, initiation, and follow-up for PrEP, under their authorization. It is a proven collaborative model that greatly facilitates access to PrEP.

The near future: professional autonomy with Bill 67

Very soon, the role of pharmacists will be even greater thanks to Bill 67, which modernizes access to care in Quebec.

This law will give qualified pharmacists the right to prescribe PrEP autonomously, without a collective ordinance. Of course, this right comes with responsibilities: only pharmacists who have completed the appropriate training and possess the required expertise will be able to do so, in order to always guarantee safe, personalized, and human support.

Whether through our current model or with future autonomy, our commitment remains the same: to eliminate barriers so you can access PrEP easily.

Both approaches are effective and recognized; the best choice depends on your needs.

The important thing is that you receive quality support with which you are comfortable. Both remote consultations and in-person meetings have their advantages.

Why is a remote consultation an essential option?

Recommended by studies and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), telehealth is a crucial tool for improving access to HIV prevention. It offers:

• Discretion and comfort: Many people find it easier to discuss sexuality or identity without the stress of a face-to-face meeting.
• Accessibility: It is a vital solution for people in remote regions or in environments where stigma is a barrier to care.
• Time savings: It eliminates the travel and waiting room time often associated with traditional appointments.

The importance of trust and expertise

Whether remote or in-person, the bond of trust with your healthcare professional is paramount. Optimal PrEP follow-up requires more than just a prescription; it demands sharp expertise.

While the law allows all pharmacists in Quebec to prescribe PrEP, safe and adapted support requires specific sensitivity and knowledge (of LGBTQ+ issues, transcultural realities, etc.). Our team is dedicated to sexual health and undergoes continuous training to guarantee this level of expertise.

What if I prefer an in-person meeting?

That is absolutely possible, and we will welcome you warmly. Direct human contact is valuable, and we offer confidential consultations at our pharmacy for those who prefer it. You can also choose a local pharmacist with whom you already have a relationship of trust.

The limits of remote services to be aware of

Transparency is essential. Telehealth has its limits:

• Certain urgent situations, like PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), or the need for a physical exam (blood pressure check, etc.) are not suitable for this format.
• Technology carries inherent risks to confidentiality, even with secure platforms.

In any case, an in-person follow-up can be arranged if needed.

Clic here for a list of other PrEP ressources in Quebec!

Faced with rising HIV cases and very real barriers to access, we made a choice that aligns with our mission: to act now. Offering consultations free of charge is our way of investing directly in the health of our community while we wait for the official structures to be put in place.

A matter of access and public health

Studies, as well as organizations like the WHO, show that to curb the HIV epidemic, PrEP must be made massively accessible. Telehealth and a simplified care pathway, like the one we offer, are innovative solutions that have long been called for to overcome the geographical, logistical, and stigma-related obstacles.

'Free' doesn't mean 'without value'

The assessment, prescription, and follow-up for PrEP are complex pharmaceutical acts that require time, specialized expertise, and great responsibility. Currently, we offer this expertise with no direct fees for the consultation and management. Our only revenue, as with any other prescription, comes from the technical act of dispensing the medication.

Our call for the future of PrEP in Quebec

We are confident that our professional bodies, like the Quebec Association of Pharmacy Owners (AQPP), will successfully negotiate with the Ministry of Health (MSSS) for fees that recognize the fair value of this clinical act.

We are calling for this recognition to be established, not only for our team, but above all to encourage all pharmacists in Quebec to follow suit. Fair compensation is the signal that will allow for the democratization of PrEP access and ensure that, in the future, every person at risk in Quebec can find this essential prevention service near them.

Our online clinic aims to make PrEP accessible everywhere in Quebec, but we recognize the importance of having access to local services.

For a complete list of clinics, pharmacies, and community groups offering PrEP services in your region, the best resource is the website MaPrEP.org.

It is an up-to-date directory that allows you to find help and care near you.