Doctor DILF: Episode 1.5: HIV services & PrEP in the USA
Doctor DILF: Series 1 Episode 5:
HIV Services & PrEP in the USA
Dr. Simon Fox talks with a sexual health pharmacist in Texas about HIV Services and PrEP in America.
Why you should listen to this episode…
Doctor DILF is the health podcast for older gay and bisexual men, unpicking what it means to be us in these crazy times. Every episode, Dr. Simon Fox (a specialist in LGBTQ+ healthy aging) talks with experts about the topic of the week, seeking answers and providing food for thought regarding our health and well-being.
This episode is the last of the current series, and is the second in a two-part special season finale, comparing HIV services and PrEP access in the UK and America. In this episode, Simon talks with Andy, a sexual health pharmacist based in Texas, America. Simon learns all about the American insurance-based healthcare system and what it takes for drugs to reach the people who need them the most. Andy tell us about his career and his own role in the setting up of the non-profit sexual health organisation in Texas, the benefits for everyone in having an LGBTQ+ educator and pharmacist, and how PrEP is distributed over the enormous area of his native state.
Crucially, Andy tells us about the barriers to getting PrEP and HIV services in America, and about the new long-acting PrEP injectables, and the hurdles it will have to overcome if it is to be more widely used. Andy informs Simon about the possible side effects, and what older people may have to bear in mind when taking PrEP later in life.
The idea behind this two-parter is to provide an opportunity for listeners to compare the British National Health Service (NHS), which is mostly free at point of entry, with the American privatised insurance-based healthcare system, and to consider how this affects HIV services and access to PrEP in particular. The listeners are invited to draw their own conclusions, and to join in the conversation on social media using the #DoctorDILF hashtag.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains descriptions of health conditions, which some listeners may find challenging. Listener discretion is advised.
Episode Summary
Part 2 of a 2 - part special, comparing HIV Services and PrEP access in the UK and the US.
How does the American insurance-based healthcare system impact accessibility to PrEP and HIV services? What role does a pharmacist play in getting vital drugs to those who need them the most? What are long-acting PrEP injectables? And how does the American healthcare system compare with the NHS?
You can join in the conversation using the #DoctorDILF hashtag on social media!
Subjects Covered
A career in pharmacy, how the American insurance-based healthcare system works, what pharmacists do in sexual health services, the benefit of having an LGBTQ+ medical practitioner as an educator and point of contact for patients, PrEP provision and access in America, barriers to PrEP access, the new long-acting PrEP injectables, potential side effects of PrEP injectables, distribution in rural areas, telehealth, and taking PrEP as an older person.
The Guest
Andy is a sexual health pharmacist with a long career in sexual health services in America. He was instrumental in the establishment of a prominent clinic in Texas, and continues to work in the sector.
Helpful Links
Mentioned in the programme, you can find the Terrence Higgins Trust here, the George House Trust here, and Sahir House here.
If you’re looking for evidence-based information on HIV and PrEP, you can find BASHH here, and i-base here.
