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about PrEP
What is PrEP?
What is PrEP?
PrEP is a medication strategy that is 99% effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed.
When you’re on PrEP, you take medication that helps prevent you from getting HIV even if you’re exposed to it.
PrEP is most commonly prescribed as a once-a-day pill. The best way to find out what type of PrEP would work for you is to talk to a healthcare professional.
Get started with PrEP
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Is PrEP right for me?
Is PrEP right for me?
If you are not living with HIV, PrEP can help protect you against HIV, no matter your gender or body type.
PrEP is typically prescribed to people considered at higher risk of HIV exposure.
Freddie’s HIV risk assessment tells you whether PrEP could meaningfully reduce your HIV risk — along with how much you’d likely pay for PrEP.
Take free HIV risk assessment
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Side Effects
What are PrEP's side effects?
Side effects from PrEP are rare, typically minor, and usually go away in 1 to 2 weeks.
Less than 10% of people who start PrEP may experience short-term side effects including nausea, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting.
In a small number of people, PrEP can result in a decrease in kidney function and bone density. Research shows that this is rare (less than 1% of people). It can usually be reversed after stopping PrEP, and detected early through regular testing.
Get started with PrEP
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Contact
Ask the Freddie Care Team
Have more questions? Email the Freddie Care Team and an expert will be in touch soon!
Contact Freddie
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Cost Start
How much does PrEP cost?
Get an estimate of how much you’d pay for PrEP by answering a few quick questions.
What province do you live in?
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Ontario
Saskatchewan
Other provinces
Alberta
Do you have government healthcare coverage?
This includes your provincial healthcare number, Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), or benefits through federal programs such as IFHB and NIHB.
Yes
No
I don't know
Alberta - GCY
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Alberta - GCY PIY
$0
per month
for people in Alberta with government healthcare coverage
PrEP is available in Alberta at no cost for people who:
- Are registered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, or receive healthcare benefits through a federal program
- Meet the Alberta PrEP eligibility criteria
- Receive their prescription from a designated PrEP prescriber
Completing Freddie's HIV risk assessment will let you know if you meet the criteria for receiving PrEP in Alberta.
Alberta - GCY PIN
$0
per month
for people in Alberta with government healthcare coverage
PrEP is available in Alberta at no cost for people who:
- Are registered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, or receive healthcare benefits through a federal program
- Meet the Alberta PrEP eligibility criteria
- Receive their prescription from a designated PrEP prescriber
Completing Freddie's HIV risk assessment will let you know if you meet the criteria for receiving PrEP in Alberta.
Alberta - GCN
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Alberta - GCN PIY
$0-50
per month
for people in Alberta with private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
British Columbia
Do you have government healthcare coverage?
This includes your provincial healthcare number, BC Pharmacare, or benefits through federal programs such as IFHB and NIHB.
Yes
No
I don't know
British Columbia - GCY
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
British Columbia - GCY PIY
$0-50
per month
for people in BC with government and private healthcare coverage
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
PrEP is also available for free under BC's Medical Services Plan. However, due to provincial regulations, Freddie can only accept private insurance for BC patients at this time.
British Columbia - GCY PIN
$0
per month
for people in BC with government healthcare coverage
You can get generic PrEP free with BC’s Medical Services Plan.
Due to provincial regulations, Freddie can’t offer PrEP to BC residents without private insurance. But you can still get PrEP at no cost by physically visiting a doctor or clinic within The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS network.
British Columbia - GCN
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
British Columbia - GCN PIY
$0-50
per month
for people in BC with private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Manitoba
Do you have government healthcare coverage?
This includes your provincial healthcare number, Manitoba Pharmacare Program, or benefits through federal programs such as IFHB and NIHB.
Yes
No
I don't know
Manitoba - GCY
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Manitoba - GCY PIY
$0-50
per month
for people in Manitoba with private healthcare coverage
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Manitoba - GCY PIN
$250
per month
for people in Manitoba without private health insurance
PrEP in Manitoba is not covered by provincial assistance programs.
If you are in one of the following groups, you may be eligible for federal assistance that could reduce your PrEP cost.
First Nations or Inuit
Refugee or Temporary Resident
Veterans Affairs Canada Card Holder
First Nations or Inuit
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
The NIHB program provides benefits for First Nations registered under the Indian Act and Inuit who are recognized by an Inuit land claim organization. You can learn more about the NIHB program’s eligibility criteria at the Indigenous Services Canada website.
Refugee or Temporary Resident
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
The IHFP covers certain healthcare benefits for resettled refugees, refugee claimants, and certain other groups until they become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. You can read more about this program’s eligibility here.
Veteran Affairs Canada Card Holder
Treatment Benefits Program
The Treatment Benefits Program covers anyone with a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) health card. You can read more about this program’s eligibility here.
Manitoba - GCN
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Manitoba - GCN PIY
$0-50
per month
for people in Manitoba with private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Ontario - Age
Ontario - 24 or younger
Do you have government healthcare coverage?
This includes programs like OHIP, OHIP+, ODB, ODSP, IFHP, NIHB, and Trillium.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 24 or younger, GCY
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 24 or younger, GCY PIY
$0-50
per month
for people 24 or younger in Ontario with government coverage and private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Freddie’s financial assistance program covers the rest, meaning you get PrEP from Freddie for $0!
Ontario - 24 or younger, GCY PIN
$0
per month
for people 24 or younger in Ontario with government coverage
Ontario residents 24 years and younger are fully covered by OHIP+ as long as they are not on a private insurance plan.
You do not have to enroll or register — as long as you are under 25 and are not on any private insurance plan, you're covered.
Ontario - 24 or younger, GCN
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 24 or younger, GCN PIY
$0-50
per month
for people ages 25-64 in Ontario with private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Freddie’s financial assistance program covers the rest, meaning you get PrEP from Freddie for $0!
Ontario - 25-64
Do you have government healthcare coverage?
This includes programs like OHIP, OHIP+, ODB, ODSP, IFHP, NIHB, and Trillium.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 25-64, GCY
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 25-64, GCY PIY
$0-50
per month
for people ages 25-64 in Ontario with government coverage and private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Freddie’s financial assistance program covers the rest, meaning you get PrEP from Freddie for $0!
Ontario - 25-64, GCY PIN
$0-150
per month
for people ages 25-64 in Ontario with government coverage
The Ontario Drug Benefit program can reduce your PrEP cost if you are enrolled in:
- Trillium Drug Program
- Ontario Disability Support Program
- Ontario Works
With both the Ontario Drug Benefit and Freddie financial assistance, it’s likely the majority of your PrEP cost would be covered.
Ontario - 25-64, GCN
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 25-64, GCN PIY
$0-50
per month
for people ages 25-64 in Ontario with private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Freddie’s financial assistance program covers the rest, meaning you get PrEP from Freddie for $0!
Ontario - 65 or older
Do you have government healthcare coverage?
This includes programs like OHIP, OHIP+, ODB, ODSP, IFHP, NIHB, and Trillium.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 65+, GCY
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 65+, GCY PIY
Almost $0
per month
for people 65 or older in Ontario with government coverage and private health insurance
Ontario residents aged 65 or over automatically qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program, which covers PrEP.
While there is a deductible for drugs purchased through the ODB program, it is extremely low. You'll pay almost nothing for PrEP.
Ontario - 65+, GCY PIN
Almost $0
per month
for people 65 or older in Ontario with government coverage
Ontario residents aged 65 or over automatically qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program, which covers PrEP.
While there is a deductible for drugs purchased through the ODB program, it is extremely low. You'll pay almost nothing for PrEP.
Ontario - 65+, GCN
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Ontario - 65+, GCN PIY
$0-50
per month
for people ages 25-64 in Ontario with private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
Freddie’s financial assistance program covers the rest, meaning you get PrEP from Freddie for $0!
Saskatchewan
Do you have government healthcare coverage?
This includes your provincial healthcare number, Saskatchewan Drug Plan, or benefits through federal programs such as IFHB and NIHB.
Yes
No
I don't know
Saskatchewan - GCY
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Saskatchewan - GCY PIY
$0
per month
for people in Saskatchewan with government and private healthcare coverage
In Saskatchewan, PrEP is fully covered by the provincial government for individuals who are at a higher risk of HIV.
You can find out if you meet the criteria for getting PrEP covered by taking Freddie's HIV risk assessment.
Saskatchewan - GCY PIN
$0
per month
for people in Saskatchewan with government healthcare coverage
In Saskatchewan, PrEP is fully covered by the provincial government for individuals who are at a higher risk of HIV.
You can find out if you meet the criteria for getting PrEP covered by taking Freddie's HIV risk assessment.
Saskatchewan - GCN
Do you have private health insurance?
This is health insurance through your employer, school, or other source that helps pay for prescription medications.
Yes
No
I don't know
Saskatchewan - GCN PIY
$0-50
per month
for people in Saskatchewan with private health insurance
Most private insurance plans cover about 80% of the cost of PrEP.
NO Final Flow
$250
per month
without coverage or financial assistance
If you are in one of the following groups, you may be eligible for federal assistance that could reduce your PrEP cost.
First Nations or Inuit
Refugee or Temporary Resident
Veterans Affairs Canada Card Holder
First Nations or Inuit
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
The NIHB program provides benefits for First Nations registered under the Indian Act and Inuit who are recognized by an Inuit land claim organization. You can learn more about the NIHB program’s eligibility criteria at the Indigenous Services Canada website.
Refugee or Temporary Resident
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
The IHFP covers certain healthcare benefits for resettled refugees, refugee claimants, and certain other groups until they become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. You can read more about this program’s eligibility here.
Veteran Affairs Canada Card Holder
Treatment Benefits Program
The Treatment Benefits Program covers anyone with a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) health card. You can read more about this program’s eligibility here.
Other Provinces
What province do you live in?
Freddie doesn't serve these provinces, but can still provide some cost information.
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Yukon
New Brunswick
If you have private health insurance:
Most private health insurance plans cover PrEP. Contact your insurance provider to verify the exact details of your coverage.
If you have only government healthcare coverage:
While Medicare does not cover PrEP, you may be able to get PrEP covered through the New Brunswick Drug Plan.
New Brunswick Drug Plan website →
Newfoundland and Labrador
If you have private health insurance:
Most private health insurance plans cover PrEP. Contact your insurance provider to verify the exact details of your coverage.
If you have only government healthcare coverage:
PrEP is covered by the Newfoundland Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP). Your exact co-pay will be determined by your eligibility criteria.
NLPDP website →
Northwest Territories
If you have private health insurance:
Most private health insurance plans cover PrEP. Contact your insurance provider to verify the exact details of your coverage.
If you have only government healthcare coverage:
PrEP is covered by the Extended Health Benefits (EHB) plan.
EHB website →
Nova Scotia
If you have private health insurance:
Most private health insurance plans cover PrEP. Contact your insurance provider to verify the exact details of your coverage.
If you have only government healthcare coverage:
PrEP can be covered through exception status if you are enrolled in the Nova Scotia Family Pharmacare Program, which is free.
Once you are enrolled in Family Pharmacare, your healthcare provider will need to complete a special authorization form before the cost can be covered. Co-pays are defined by the family’s size and annual income.
Family Pharmacare website →
Nunavut
If you have private health insurance:
Most private health insurance plans cover PrEP. Contact your insurance provider to verify the exact details of your coverage.
If you have only government healthcare coverage:
PrEP is covered by the Extended Health Benefits (EHB) plan.
EHB website →
Prince Edward Island
$0
per month
PrEP is provided at no charge through the province's HIV Drug Program.
To qualify, you must have a PEI health card and meet the criteria to be considered at risk of HIV transmission. Applications must be approved by the Chief Public Health Officer.
HIV Drug Program website →
Quebec
$50-95
per month
depending on your type of healthcare coverage
If you have private health insurance:
Most private health insurance plans cover PrEP. The cost is typically around $50 a month, but it depends on your specific policy.
If you have only government healthcare coverage:
The cost of PrEP is $95.31 per month unless you have received an exemption.
EHB website →
Yukon
$0
per month
The Government of Yukon fully covers the cost of PrEP for anyone at-risk of HIV transmission.
Government of Yukon PrEP Page →
