OTTAWA — The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has released stringent new clinical guidelines for HIV prevention medications (PrEP and PEP), aiming to boost awareness and dismantle access barriers.
The association has strictly instructed doctors to avoid “gatekeeping” and ensure the medications are not denied to those who need them, even if patients are reluctant to disclose their risk factors. Authorities highlight that stigma, lack of trust, and racism are among the reasons why individuals forgo necessary treatment.
This decisive action comes amid a sharp increase in the rate of HIV infections across Canada. In 2023 alone, 2,434 new cases were reported. Data indicates that 38% of these new cases were among gay men, and 25% involved people who inject drugs. The spread is also noted to be particularly high within Indigenous communities.
The new guidelines acknowledge both the daily pill regimen and the long-acting injectable option (administered every two months) as approved PrEP choices. However, experts have criticized the guidance, arguing that it does not place sufficient emphasis on how to effectively deliver these medications to Indigenous communities, where the HIV rate remains significantly elevated.
