A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Pharmacists' Readiness to Provide Long-Acting Injectable HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in California.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remains low among people who could benefit, some of whom may prefer alternatives to oral PrEP, such as long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP). We evaluated the potential for LAI-PrEP provision in pharmacies through a mixed methods study of pharmacists in California, where Senate Bill 159 enables pharmacists to independently provide oral PrEP.

Methods: In 2022-2023, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey of California pharmacists and pharmacy students (n = 919) and in-depth interviews with pharmacists (n = 30), both of which included modules assessing attitudes about PrEP provision.

Opportunities to Increase Access to HIV Prevention: Evaluating the Implementation of Pharmacist-Initiated Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in California.

Background: Pharmacies are a promising setting through which to expand access to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, including pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP, respectively). We aimed to evaluate and inform the implementation of California's Senate Bill 159 (2019), allowing pharmacists to independently prescribe PrEP and PEP.

Methods: From October through December 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 919 California pharmacists and pharmacy students, primarily recruited via the email listservs of professional organizations.