title: Preparing for pre-exposure prophylaxis: perceptions and readiness of Canadian pharmacists for the implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.
abstract: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission but has the potential to cause harm if not used properly. Pharmacists are well-positioned to foster PrEP's efficacy but little is known whether they would endorse it as an HIV prevention tool. The objective of the study was to determine Canadian HIV pharmacists' support for PrEP and to identify current barriers to promoting PrEP. Canadian pharmacists with experience in HIV care were invited to complete an online survey about their experiences, opinions, and learning needs regarding PrEP from December 2012 to January 2013. Among the 59 surveys received, 48 met criteria for final analysis. Overall, 33 (69%) respondents would provide education positively supporting the use of PrEP and 26 (54%) believed Health Canada should approve PrEP for use in Canada. Familiarity with the concept of PrEP and practice characteristics examined did not appear to be significantly associated with support for PrEP in univariable analyses. The principal barriers to promoting PrEP included inadequate drug coverage and insufficient knowledge to educate others. Many Canadian HIV pharmacists would endorse PrEP for high-risk patients; however, wider dissemination of information and lower drug costs may be needed to make PrEP more widely promoted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada yoongd@smh.ca.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yoong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naccarato
authors.affiliation: Wilson Centre for Research in Education, University Health Network, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Malika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilton
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Senn
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto; Hassle Free Clinic, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Darrell Hs
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002170:Canada; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D065129:Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: AIDS; Canadian; HIV; PrEP; pharmacists; pre-exposure prophylaxis; prevention