HIV advocates are concerned that upcoming changes to Gilead Sciences Inc.'s Advancing Access program mean that there will be less money available to local providers for related virus prevention.
Gilead produces PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, which refers to two antiviral medications — under the brand names of Truvada, which was approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration in 2012, and Descovy, which was approved in 2019 — that are taken by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV infection.
Through its Advancing Access program, Gilead can provide these medicines free of charge to uninsured individuals. Pharmacies provide a prescription then file claims for reimbursement from Gilead.