AHF Clinic Will Offer PrEP Prescriptions

The head of Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation may be against PrEP, but its new health care center in the Castro will provide prescriptions for Truvada, the medication used to prevent HIV, agency officials said.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a once-a-day pill, Truvada, which has been found to reduce the risk of HIV infection in several studies. AHF President Michael Weinstein has been critical of widespread use of PrEP and the agency's position, according to a controversial ad it ran in August, is that "scientific data do not support the large-scale use of Truvada as a community-wide health intervention."

But AHF spokesman Ged Kenslea told the Bay Area Reporter that AHF would stock Truvada in its pharmacy around the corner from the clinic, at 4071 18th Street.

"PrEP requires a prescription from a physician," Kenslea said. "Customers who wish to, and have valid prescriptions from AHF or other physicians, may have their prescription for PrEP filled at any AHF pharmacy location."

Kenslea further stated that AHF would neither encourage nor discourage the use of PrEP.

"We believe that any discussion about PrEP should be between a medical provider and patient," he said.

"AHF does oppose the deployment of PrEP as a community-wide public health tool endorsed by government bodies like the CDC, as the very same data that shows potential efficacy of HIV prevention of over 90 percent also show significant shortcomings in patient adherence," Kenslea added, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We believe PrEP as a prevention strategy won't work if people do not take the drug as prescribed, and nearly every major study demonstrating the medication's efficacy has also revealed significant shortcomings in patient adherence."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Gilead Sciences' Truvada (tenofovir plus emtricitabine) for PrEP in July 2012. In May the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that people at "substantial risk" should consider PrEP to prevent HIV infection. The World Health Organization last month also recommended PrEP as an option for at-risk gay men.

Ribbon-Cutting

AHF recently had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and party to open the new health center, which includes an AHF Men's Wellness Center, located at 518 Castro Street, just about a block down from where the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's new health and wellness center at 474 Castro Street is expected to open next year.

The October 24 grand opening of the center has been an uphill battle for AHF, a nonprofit that provides medical care and services to people living with HIV/AIDS. It had faced opposition as it prepared to move its San Francisco clinic and pharmacy to the heart of the Castro. AHF had operated a clinic and pharmacy in the Duboce Triangle neighborhood since 2009 but recently vacated the 100 Church Street space after settling an eviction lawsuit with Maitri Hospice, which owns the property.

In August, AHF sued gay District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener and the city of San Francisco over legislation meant to tighten formula retail rules. AHF operates 34 pharmacies in 10 states. Under the city rules, any business with 11 or more locations in the U.S. needs to seek a conditional use permit. That lawsuit is pending. Wiener previously told the B.A.R. that the suit is "baseless."

AHF eventually won approval for the health care center and had the grand opening reception, which was attended by about 100 people.

Members of Cheer San Francisco, an LGBT-identified cheerleading squad, danced and waved their pompons, chanting, "They're good work is never done, providing care for everyone," as attendees sang along.

"I so appreciate seeing so many people here," said Dr. Lisha Wilson, AHF's Bay Area medical director. "A lot of people were opposed to us being here, so it's exciting to see it all come together. I've been with AIDS Healthcare Foundation for 12 years, and I so love what I do. I appreciate the care provided for communities of color. We have a very special relationship with our patients."

Mental health providers were among the attendees.

"This opening is meaningful for me," said Frank DePelisi, a practicing psychologist. "Being able to provide mental health support is such an integral part of treatment. I've enjoyed working with AIDS Healthcare Foundation because of their mission."

DePelisi said that patients were seen regardless of ability to pay.

The men's wellness center offers free HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment in one location.