Trends in HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis [HIV-PrEP] use in 9 Canadian provinces, 2019 – 2022 [Infographic]

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Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: November 2023
Cat.: HP40-347/2023E-PDF
ISBN: 978-0-660-68411-6
Pub.: 230505

HIV prevention is critical to the goal of zero new HIV infections. HIV-PrEP is an important part of Canada's HIV prevention strategy.Footnote 1Footnote 2Footnote 3

Table 1. Annual estimated HIV-PrEP use prevalence by province [per 100,000 people]
Year 2019 2020 2021 2022
Manitoba 15 14 16 30
New Brunswick 23 22 26 32
Newfoundland and Labrador 17 19 23 26
Nova Scotia 39 44 37 48
Ontario 64 69 82 97
Prince Edward Island 30 38 56 64
Quebec 50 55 62 75
Saskatchewan 65 69 67 69
British Columbia 95 97 109 132
HIV-PrEP use is increasing each year
Table 2. Annual prevalence of HIV-PrEP use [per 100,000 people]
Year 2019 2020 2021 2022
PrEP use prevalence 61 64 74 89
HIV-PrEP use was highest among those aged 30 – 39 years of age.
Table 3. Prevalence of HIV-PrEP use [per 100,000 people], 2022
Age groups Rate [per 100,000 people]
0 - 19 5
20 - 29 141
30 – 39 232
40 – 49 146
50 - 59 91
60 - 69 42
70+ 7

HIV-PrEP is primarily used by males

Access to HIV-PrEP medication varies across Canada

Data sources British Columbia: Annual estimates of persons using PrEP in British Columbia were provided by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. All other provinces: Annual estimates of persons using PrEP in Canada were generated from IQVIA's geographical prescription monitor dataset. Data for the three territories and Alberta are not currently available and therefore have not been presented.

Data Limitations 1. Only prescriptions that were acquired from a community pharmacy are included (dispensations from hospital pharmacies, those provided at no cost, and those purchased online are not included). 2. The dispensation data cover approximately 60% of all retail pharmacies in Canada. Patient counts from participating pharmacists are projected to the whole population of each province by IQVIA using their proprietary algorithm. 3. An algorithm was used to assign a treatment indication to each person prescribed TDF-FTC. Any misclassifications could have produced an over- or under-estimate of the number of PrEP users. 4. Not all dispensed medications are consumed, which could contribute to over-counting of PrEP users

Notes Any analysis of IQVIA data is arrived at independently and IQVIA is not responsible for any reliance by recipients of the data or any analysis thereof. The analyses, conclusions, opinions and statements expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of IQVIA.

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