People at high risk of getting infected by HIV will be able to receive pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) at no cost.
The medication is a daily oral antiretroviral that helps prevent new HIV infections and is part of the many tools available to help reduce the spread of the virus.
“Our government is committed to helping fight the spread of 
HIV/AIDS and supporting people as they take action to protect themselves from this virus,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Making this medication free for people will prevent new HIV infections, remove barriers to care and services, and help people live longer and healthier lives.”
Deaths related to HIV in BC has seen a decrease of 90% since 1996, but new cases continue to emerge.
In 2015, there were 5.1 new diagnoses of HIV per every 100,000 people in British Columbia.
The government is hoping that providing access to PrEP will help prevent new HIV infections.
PrEP will be available through the BC Centre for Excellence’s HIV Drug Treatment program, which is funded by the Ministry of Health through the B.C. PharmaCare program.
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