SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is now directly available from Illinois pharmacists.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued a standing order allowing people in Illinois to obtain the PrEP, the HIV preventative medication, directly from a pharmacist without requiring a doctor’s prescription. PrEP is one of the most effective means of preventing HIV infection. Studies show that it reduces the risk of infection through sexual transmission as much as 99 percent. The order was signed by signed by IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra and will make it easier to obtain either of the two oral medications used in the PrEP regimen.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Getting to Zero Illinois (GtZ) program aims for a goal of zero new HIV transmissions in the state by the year 2030. There were 1,386 new diagnoses of the virus statewide in 2024, down nine percent from 2023.

“IDPH continues to value the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker and our tremendous partnerships across Illinois all striving to help our State get to zero,” said Director Vohra.  “IDPH is very proud of our PrEP4IL program and the impact it is making to reduce HIV rates.  This standing order now takes our efforts even further, opening additional doors of access so more individuals and communities can have the opportunity to take this preventative treatment and dramatically reduce their risk of acquiring HIV.”
Pharmacists offering the service must undergo a training program, teaching them how to provide the services in a private and confidential environment, order and interpret the necessary tests, and maintain records as required under the Act. Oral PrEP is taken as one pill per day, which can prevent at-risk people from contracting HIV.
Those considered at-risk are people who are HIV-negative but may have other risk factors such as:
  • Have a sexual partner who is HIV-positive.
  • Have partner who injects drugs.
  • Don’t use condoms consistently.
  • Were diagnosed with an STI (sexually transmitted infection) in the past six months.
  • Share injection drug equipment (needles, cookers, syringes, etc.).