Frequently asked questions about PrEP

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a preventive pill that offers effective protection against HIV infection. Whatever your sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, PrEP is an option to protect yourself against HIV. Whether you are gay or straight, have a penis or a vagina, PrEP is for you. Unfortunately, PrEP does not protect against other STIs (sexually transmitted infections, in Dutch: SOA), so it is still advisable to use protection such as a condom.

To get access to PrEP through our GP practice, simply follow the steps below:
a. Make an appointment with your GP.
b. During the appointment, the GP will explain the two different dosing schedules available for using PrEP.
c. The GP will also explain the conditions that must be met before PrEP is prescribed.

To receive PrEP, you need to meet certain conditions. These include:
a. Mandatory STI and blood tests before you start PrEP treatment. These tests are needed to make sure you are in good health before you start PrEP.
b. Regular STI swab tests and blood tests every 6 months so that your PrEP prescriptions can continue. These periodic tests are crucial for monitoring your health while you use PrEP.

It is important to note that these conditions are in place to ensure that PrEP is used safely and effectively, and to detect any side effects or health problems early.
For further questions or to schedule an appointment for PrEP, we as a GP practice are happy to help. Your health is our priority, and we want to make sure you have access to the PrEP care you need.

It is crucial to be tested before PrEP is prescribed, because prescribing PrEP without testing can lead to the development of a resistant form of HIV. If you have already been infected with HIV without realising it and you use PrEP, the virus can become resistant to the known medicines. We want to prevent this at all times.

We do not prescribe PrEP medication without test results because we aim for responsible and well-considered use of PrEP. The goal is to safeguard your health and minimise possible risks. Prescribing PrEP without test results can have (serious) consequences, both for your individual health and for the shared goal of HIV prevention. In short, your wellbeing comes first, and meeting the testing requirements is essential to ensure safe and effective PrEP treatment.

Unfortunately, PrEP is not yet reimbursed by health insurers at the moment. It is important to be aware of this so that you can understand and plan for the possible costs.

Prepnu.nl keeps an overview of pharmacies across the Netherlands that supply PrEP as cheaply as possible. By checking this website, you can find information about the cost and availability of PrEP at different pharmacies. This allows you to choose the pharmacy that best suits your financial situation.
We understand that cost is an important consideration when you are thinking about using PrEP, and we encourage you to check the information on Prepnu.nl regularly for any updates and new offers.

If you use PrEP, it is important to have regular STI tests and to request new PrEP medication. Here is a step-by-step guide to ordering new PrEP and STI tests:
Step 1: Create a UwZorgOnline account (Uw Zorg Online is our online patient portal).
Step 2: Request a test kit at the reception desk.
Send a message to our practice via the UwZorgOnline app on your phone asking us to have a test kit ready for you at the reception desk. Please bear in mind that it may take a day to get the test kit ready.
Step 3: Collect the tests and do them at a star-SHL collection point.
Once the test kit is ready, collect it from the reception desk. Do the STI tests and hand in the swabs at a star-SHL collection point (prikpunt). The results will then be processed.
Step 4: Results available and processed.
Once the results are available and have been processed, you will receive a message in the UwZorgOnline app that your results are available.
Step 5: Request a PrEP prescription.
Send a message to our practice via the UwZorgOnline app asking for a new PrEP prescription. If you do not collect your PrEP from your regular Rotterdam pharmacy, please clearly state the name and address of the pharmacy where you would like to order your PrEP.

Alternative route for ordering PrEP (if your STI tests are done at the GGD).

Once you have received a message from the GGD (municipal public health service) that your results are available, it is your own responsibility to request the PDF version and send it as a PDF via our spreekuur.nl service (our online consultation service). Include a request for a new PrEP prescription. If you do not collect your PrEP from your usual Rotterdam pharmacy, please clearly state the name and address of the pharmacy where you would like to order your PrEP.

We understand that the testing and prescribing process could still be improved, and we are actively exploring ways to make it run more smoothly. Our doctors are currently in discussion with STAR-SHL and are in contact with the GGD to automate the processes better.

What can we expect in the future?
Our goal is to make the process more efficient. In the future, we aim to introduce automatic invitations from STAR-SHL, so that you receive a reminder at your home address when it is time for your tests. We would even like STAR-SHL to send the test kit to you automatically, making the whole process even easier.

Unfortunately not yet available: what can you do now?
Unfortunately, these improvements have not yet been put in place. Until then, as a patient you follow the process as explained earlier on this site. We understand that this may take a little extra effort, but we appreciate your understanding and cooperation while we work on improvements in the interest of smooth and efficient care.