If you are HIV-negative and do not always use condomsor you share injecting drug equipment, then you may be at risk of HIV.
PrEP is available through the HSE free of charge to those who are likely to benefit from the intervention and for whom it is not contraindicated. At this time, free PrEP care is available through public PrEP clinics. Individuals attending other approved PrEP providers (such as general practice (GP) or private providers) will have to pay for the consultation, investigations, treatment of STIs and vaccines.
Find out where to get PrEP from an approved PrEP service provider
PrEP is given through community pharmacies. You will need a drug payment scheme (DPS) card, medical card or long-term illness card to access free PrEP through the HSE.
Anyone with a PPS number can apply for a DPS card. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the Drugs Payment Scheme.
If you do not have a PPS number, you can find out more about getting a PPS number - citizensinformation.ie
Who would benefit from free PrEP?
To get free PrEP through the HSE you need to:
- test negative for HIV
- be able to attend follow up appointments, usually every 3 to 6 months
You might benefit from PrEP if:
1: You are having sex without condoms with HIV-positive partners who:
- are not on HIV treatment, or
- are on treatment but not virally suppressed (do not have an undetectable viral load)
2: You are a man who has sex with men. This includes transgender men who have sex with men or a transgender woman who has sex with men, and 1 ofthe following:
- had anal sex without condoms with more than 1 partner in the last 6 months
- likely to have anal sex without a condom in the next 3 months
- had an STI in the last year
- used HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the last year
- used recreational drugs for sex (also known as chemsex) in the last 6 months
3: You are considered to be at risk of contracting HIV through sex or sharing injecting drug equipment.
You are not eligible for free PrEP if you are:
- in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is living with HIV who is on treatment and virally suppressed
- in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is known to be HIV negative.
If you are not eligible for PrEP
If you are not eligible for free PrEP you can decide to pay for PrEP.
You can buy PrEP through community pharmacies with a prescription.
Who should not take PrEP?
PrEP should not be used if you:
- have HIV
- do not know your HIV status
- are allergic to the medications available for PrEP in Ireland.
An undetectable viral load is when the virus exists in such small amounts that it can’t be detected by standard blood tests. It means the level of HIV in your body is so low, it can’t be passed on. This needs to be monitored regularly by a healthcare professional.
Buying PrEP online
It is possible to buy generic PrEP products over the internet.
In Ireland, it is illegal for:
- a person to source prescription medication without a prescription
- medication to be supplied by mail order, including over the internet
The Health Products Regulation Authority (HPRA) have information on the risks of buying medicines online.
