Let’s Talk About PrEP - North Carolina’s HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Toolkit

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Noah

North Carolina’s HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Toolkit explains what PrEP is, who it is for, and how it reduces HIV risk when used as prescribed. It highlights FDA-approved PrEP medications (including Truvada, Descovy, and Apretude) and outlines considerations for sex and injection drug use risk. The toolkit describes the NCPrEP statewide project, its goals to expand access and awareness, provider support, and coordination with partners and a statewide advisory committee. It also covers payment pathways through Medicaid’s “Be Smart” program and how to find PrEP providers and resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

What is PrEP?

NCPrEP Project

NCPrEP Project Guidance

How do I Pay for PrEP?

How to Find a PrEP Provider

Foundational Training & Development

Additional PrEP Resources

| Let’s Talk About PrEP
North Carolina’s HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Toolkit | | --- | | | | Prepared by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services • Division of Public Health • Communicable Disease Branch • HIV/STD Prevention Program • Statewide PrEP Coordinator Mark A. Davis, Jr. • CAO 4.24.25 | Table of Contents What is PrEP? ............................................................................................................ 1 NCPrEP Project ..........................................................................................................2 NCPrEP Project Guidance .........................................................................................3 How do I Pay for PrEP? .............................................................................................4 How to Find a PrEP Provider .....................................................................................5 Foundational Training & Development.......................................................................6 Additional PrEP Resources ........................................................................................7 What is PrEP? PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and is a once-daily pill taken orally or an injection given every other month in conjunction with prevention strategies to reduce the risk of a person acquiring HIV. PrEP is for people who are negative for HIV but are at increased risk for contracting HIV, such as men who have sex with men (MSM) who have multiple partners , non-monogamous, sexually active men and women, people who inject drugs, and adults whose partner's HIV status is unknown. PrEP reduces the risk of a person getting HIV from sex by 99% . PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74% . PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed. Since PrEP only protects against HIV, safe sex methods including condom use are still important for protection against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) . PrEP has been a game changer in HIV Prevention since its inception in 2012. Currently, three PrEP medications have been approved by the FDA: Emtricitabine/tenofovir TDF (Truvada), Emtricitabine/tenofovir TAF (Descovy) , and the first long-acting injectable PrEP Apretude. See below for usage recommendations for each drug. There also may be an annual injection option for PrEP in the near future. | | Truvada | Descovy | Apretude | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Cis-gender Men or Transgender Women | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Cis-gender Women or Transgender Men | ✓ | X | ✓ | | NCPrEP Project
PrEP matters because it’s a game-changer in the fight against HIV. Imagine the power of a single pill that can shield someone from a virus that has claimed millions of lives and caused untold suffering. PrEP gives people the ability to take control of their sexual health and to live with dignity and confidence. It’s not just a medical breakthrough – it’s a tool of empowerment, offering hope and protection to those who have faced stigma, vulnerability, or barriers to prevention. PrEP is more than medicine; it’s a statement that no one’s future should be defined by HIV.
The Division of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Branch (CDB) has launched a statewide project (NCPrEP) to increase HIV PrEP awareness and accessibility to PrEP services. The goal of the project is to support NC prevention partners to increase access to PrEP services for people at high risk for HIV. This program focuses on men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly young African American MSM who have an elevated risk of HIV acquisition according to data; however, PrEP is a valuable tool for anyone at increased risk for HIV. NCPrEP allows prevention partners to collaborate and develop relationships within communities to identify those at most risk for HIV and link them to qualified PrEP providers.
The CDB provides capacity building and technical assistance to increas

FAQs

What is PrEP and how is it taken?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is taken as a once-daily pill by mouth or as an injection given every other month, alongside prevention strategies, to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.

Who should consider PrEP?

PrEP is for people who are HIV-negative but at increased risk, including men who have sex with men (MSM) with multiple or non-monogamous partners, people who inject drugs, and adults whose partner’s HIV status is unknown.

What does the NCPrEP project do?

The NCPrEP project is a statewide effort by the Division of Public Health to increase awareness and accessibility to PrEP services, strengthen partner collaboration, and support qualified providers with capacity building and technical assistance.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Noah