Learn about PEP

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a series of powerful anti-HIV drugs used to prevent infection after the virus has entered the body, but before it has taken hold permanently. In BC, PEP has been made available to healthcare providers after occupational exposure and to sexual assault survivors for many years. In other provinces, PEP is also available to people exposed to HIV through consensual sex and injection drug use.

In 2010, Health Initiative for Men created a PEP position paper, calling for PEP to be made available to gay men and other persons at risk of HIV infection, regardless of how the exposure occurred.

On July 9th, a pilot project for non-occupational PEP (NPEP) was launched in Vancouver. This means that gay guys who are exposed to HIV by a failed or broken condom, condomless anal sex, injection drug use or any other exposure, can access this treatment at 5 locations in Vancouver, including the HIM Sexual Health Centre on Davie St. (421 – 1033 Davie).

For more information on PEP and how to access PEP through the NPEP pilot, visit our PEP website.

Please remember – condom use and low risk activities like oral sex and knowing your partners status and your own (through regular testing) are the most effective ways to avoid picking up or passing on HIV.