Letters to the Editor

Pill to prevent HIV helping dozens of Maui individuals

Thank you for your Jan. 9 article on the new once-daily pill to prevent HIV ("Usage remains low for pill that can prevent HIV infection"). I work at Maui AIDS Foundation as an advanced practice registered nurse and PrEP medical case manager. From a local perspective, I want to spread the message to our community that PrEP, or Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, as the preventive use of Truvada is termed, is already being accessed with success by dozens of individuals in Maui County.

For the past year, the PrEP Clinic at Maui AIDS Foundation has been a local resource in connecting at-risk individuals to doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who are prescribing PrEP as well as accessing financial assistance programs that help with the high co-pay costs that may be associated with a Truvada prescription.

The reality is that on Maui, getting PrEP and staying on it can be easy, affordable and significant in reducing one's risk of acquiring HIV.

Bryan Chin

Wailuku