Advanced

Information Resources

Get informed about HIV and sexual health. Browse, download and order information on all aspects of our work.

PEP

Post Exposure Prophylaxis is a course of medication that can stop you becoming HIV positive after you've been exposed to the virus.

HIV fire hydrant

Trouble accessing PEP.

If you're having trouble accessing PEP then there's a few things you can do to make things move more swiftly.

Use the Chief Medical Officers recommendations.

In 2006 the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson wrote to all Primary Care Trusts stating the PEP should be made available as part of a wider HIV prevention strategy. You can download a copy of this letter here.

You might find it useful to print it out and take it with you to show medical staff to support your case.

What if there's no PEP in your area.

Not all Sexual Health clinics and Accident and Emergency departments in the UK have procedures in place to offer PEP. Why not travel to your nearest prescribing centre and try to access PEP there? Complete our online self-assessment to find your nearest centre.

If you know that PEP is not available in your area you could do the following:

  • Write to the Chief Executive of your local PCT asking them why PEP is not available locally and what steps they intend to take to change that situation. You can find a list of PCTs here.
  • Write to your local MP asking them to act on your behalf to get PEP available locally. You can find out who you local MP is here.

You might want to include some of the evidence on why PEP should be available. This is available in the CHAPS PEP briefing paper.

To speak to someone in person, call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200 for more information on PEP and where to get it.


what is PEP