Julie Ngo

This oral abstract session discusses the findings on PEP and PrEP dispensation in private pharmacies and the perspective of pharmacy clients and adolescent girls and young women on CAB-LA and other PrEP service delivery options.

Patricia Ong’wen from Jhpiego, Pharm PrEP study finds PEP dispensation in private pharmacies in Kenya could address unmet PEP needs, with opportunities to help transition pharmacy clients to PrEP services after PEP regimen. Elijah Kakande from Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, explores prevention choices among clients ≥ age 15 in rural Uganda and Kenya (SEARCH dynamic choice). CAB-LA was highly feasible and acceptable, with high levels of satisfaction. Low knowledge of CAB-LA in baseline, increased awareness, and decreased concerns for side effects during follow-up. Stephanie D. Roche from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, shares expedited and long-term actions for implementing CAB-LA services at private pharmacies in Kenya informed by providers, clients, and key stakeholders interviews. CAB-LA guidelines, affordability and accessibility, government subsidies for pharmacies, training programs, reporting tools, and pharmacies integrated into supply chain are necessary actions. Euphemia L. Sibanda from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, compares PrEP service delivery preference among adolescent girls and young women (ages 15-24) through discrete choice experiment with pictorial illustrations. Positive preference for SRH positive attitudes program for parents, friendly providers, PrEP from CHW or local clinic (vs pharmacy), CAB-LA over oral PrEP, free services, short venue visits. Negative preferences for vaginal ring and long-distance venues.

This session highlights the need for person-centered and dynamic HIV prevention and PrEP choices. Implementation of prevention services with PrEP and PEP must incorporate the needs, contexts and preferences of key and priority populations if they are going to be effective and work for those who need them. Cost analyses and more implementation data are still needed, but PrEP and PEP dispensation in private pharmacies is an exciting opportunity to explore more to reach and support those who are the most underserved.