Nurse-led safer opioid supply and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a novel pilot project

INTRODUCTION: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective intervention for preventing HIV infections yet is largely unknown to and underutilized among people who use drugs. METHODS: To better provide services to this group, we present a prospective, single-group interventional study involving the creation of a partnership between a safer opioid supply program and an HIV PrEP program, both of which were nurse-led. RESULTS: Overall, HIV PrEP was offered to 42 individuals within the safer opioid supply program, resulting in 55% (n = 23) acceptance. Almost half of the group that accepted PrEP identified as female, and nearly all participants were homeless and did not have a primary care provider. While it was challenging to obtain routine PrEP follow-up labs per guideline recommendations due to poor venous access, most participants were able to successfully stay on PrEP and maintained good medication adherence. There were no PrEP discontinuations due to renal impairment and no participants tested positive for HIV. CONCLUSION: This novel integration of programs appeared to be a highly effective way to expand access to HIV prevention among people who use drugs. Given the historical and current mistreatment of people who use drugs within the healthcare system, rapport and trust were essential to the uptake of HIV PrEP services. Further, the importance of infectious disease screening among people who use drugs is underscored, and built-in program flexibility and low barrier access is essential.