HIV Testing, PrEP, & PEP

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Pucci's Pharmacy is now offering free, rapid finger stick point-of-care HIV and HCV testing. Read more about these services below and then click the link below to schedule an appointment for free HIV and HCV testing. 

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Under California SB 159, pharmacists may provide HIV testing and initiate a prescription for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours of HIV exposure. Click below to schedule an appointment for HIV & STI testing and prescription for HIV PrEP or PEP. Upon confirmation of HIV negative result and depending on individual insurance coverage, you may be eligible for Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate), Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide), or Apretude (cabotegravir) for PrEP.

 

If you have a confirmed HIV exposure, our pharmacists will be able to prescribe PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) as indicated in the current CDC guidelines.

 

Our staff will help to coordinate a referral if your plan will not allow you to fill prescriptions at our pharmacy. Our staff will also refer you to a PrEP navigator for assistance if you are uninsured. 

 

Our pharmacists will be able to perform a rapid point-of-care finger-stick blood test in one of the private clinic rooms at Pucci's and will be able to prescribe you PrEP when you come in for your initial visit upon confirming a HIV negative result. Blood work to confirm the HIV negative result from the rapid, finger-stick blood test, Hepatitis B & C status, renal (kidney) function, syphilis, and pregnancy (if applicable) will be ordered by the pharmacist. This bloodwork can be completed at the pharmacy or we can order the tests to be performed at Quest for your convenience.

 

In addition to the blood work, the pharmacist will also order tests for other STIs including Gonorrhea and Chlamydia using self-collected swabs from 3 sites (urine, oral, rectal). 

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If you test positive for any STI, our pharmacists will be able to treat you and any sexual partners. 

 

Costs of testing will be billed to your health plan by Renegade Bio Laboratory in Berkeley or by Quest Labs. As with any other laboratory visit, you may be responsible for copays and deductible amounts for which you will receive an explanation of benefits and an invoice from your health plan. 

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Follow up testing and continued provision of prescriptions for PrEP are able to be provided by Pucci's Pharmacy as we are operating in a Collaborative Practice Agreement with a physician. You will need to have a second visit in 30 days if you are new to PrEP, then quarterly visits thereafter for follow-up bloodwork and re-issuance of your prescription. Refills will NOT be issued without bloodwork to confirm HIV status. 

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We are able to initiate and continue Apretude for PrEP injections. Ask the pharmacist during your consultation if you would like to know more about Apretude. 

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Note that under California SB 159, all willing pharmacies are able to provide prescription for HIV PrEP and/or HIV PEP up to twice for a 30 day supply in 2 years. Pucci's Collaborative Practice Agreement allows us to continuously provide these services to eligible patients beyond the scope authorized in SB 159.