Rhode Island’s H6150 will expand access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – a game-changing medication that reduces the risk of HIV transmission by close to 100 percent.

H6150 lets pharmacists provide a patient with a short-term supply (60 days once in a two-year period) of PrEP without a prescription. Pharmacists will be required to provide counseling on the use of PrEP and connect patients without a primary care provider with health care providers for ongoing medication and care.

H6150 also requires insurers to cover one type of PrEP within each method of administration without cost-sharing or prior authorization. These provisions are critical but should go further to remove obstacles to PrEP.