Recent competition on the PrEP market has caused a further drop of the price of generic PrEP in Dutch pharmacies. Distributor Centrafarm now offers generic PrEP for €47,95 (incl. VAT, plus costs). Clients will pay about €54 a month for their product.
This brings PrEP within reach for many, if not most people. With a doctor’s prescription they can go to their local pharmacy. It is important that the doctor writes ‘tenofovir/emtricitabine van Centrafarm’ as a specific instruction on the prescription. Without it, it’s likely that a more expensive drug will be provided.
PrEPnu goals not quite met
It’s with gladness that we witness these developments, but we are not yet done. To quote one of our own volunteers: “Gee, profit driven pharmaceuticals have done more for access to PrEP than Dutch politics.”
Indeed, we are still quite mad about the way politicians, particularly VVD politicians, have constantly been obstructing decent access to PrEP. We are still waiting for the National Health Council’s report, an advice due in March. It remains to be seen whether PrEP will then be covered by health insurances. Exactly that is what is required for equal access to PrEP, in a safe and responsible setting.
