Exploratory survey of Florida pharmacist’s experience with knowledge of, and perceptions about HIV preexposure prophylaxis

OBJECTIVE: To assess Florida pharmacists' experience, knowledge, and perception of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and to identify areas for pharmacist training. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Florida in March through July 2013. PARTICIPANTS: Florida pharmacists. INTERVENTION: In-person and online anonymous survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Florida pharmacists' experience, knowledge, and perceptions of PrEP. RESULTS: 225 completed surveys were analyzed. Survey respondents were predominantly community pharmacists with mean age of 45.7 years and less than 20 years of experience. Only 22% of respondents reported dispensing PrEP to patients. Although 75% had completed HIV-related continuing education in the last 2 years, 63% were unaware of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention PrEP guidelines and 71% answered that they did not have sufficient knowledge to counsel patients with PrEP prescriptions. Importantly, 47% of respondents answered they were uncomfortable counseling patients about PrEP. By self-report, most pharmacists agreed PrEP leads to risky behavior (68%) and increased rates of sexually transmitted infections (65%), and is too costly to promote patient access (92%). CONCLUSION: Surveyed Florida pharmacists reported limited understanding of PrEP. As a widely accessible health care counseling resource, pharmacists are positioned to improve patient understanding, promote medication adherence, and enhance PrEP efficacy. Especially during PrEP implementation, when patients may receive PrEP prescriptions from non-HIV specialist prescribers, improving pharmacists' PrEP education presents a salient opportunity.