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HIV PrEP in Canada

By adult.ca · Updated

HIV PrEP is medicine you can take if you don't have HIV to help prevent getting it. It comes as pills or as an injection from a health care provider.

Who it is for

PrEP should be considered for people without HIV whose activities carry a higher risk of HIV, such as sex without condoms or with partners whose HIV status is unknown. PHAC says it is reasonable to prescribe PrEP to adults and adolescents who ask for it.

What it involves

Starting PrEP means testing for HIV and other STIs, then seeing a provider about every 3 months for check-ups and testing. PrEP works very well when taken as prescribed, but it does not prevent other STIs. This page does not give dosing advice.

After a possible exposure

PEP is a different treatment for after a high-risk exposure. It should be started as soon as possible, no later than 72 hours after.

Cost

Coverage comes through private or provincial and territorial drug plans and HIV programs. See the province table below.

What is free in each province

Short labels: Some sites Free for some / at some sites · Covered, costs Covered, costs may apply · Offered Offered publicly, cost not stated · Not funded Not publicly funded for adults · Not confirmed not confirmed.

HIV PrEP and HIV self-test coverage by province
Province or territoryHIV PrEPHIV self-test
British ColumbiaFree sourceFree source
AlbertaFree sourceFree source
SaskatchewanNot confirmedFree source
ManitobaFree sourceFree source
OntarioNot confirmedFree source
QuebecNot confirmedFree source
New BrunswickOffered sourceFree source
Nova ScotiaCovered, costs sourceFree source
Prince Edward IslandNot confirmedFree source
Newfoundland and LabradorCovered, costs sourceFree source
YukonFree sourceFree source
Northwest TerritoriesNot confirmedNot confirmed
NunavutNot confirmedNot confirmed

Checked Oct 26, 2026. Each "source" link opens the official page we read. "Not confirmed" means we could not confirm it from an official page that day; the province and territory cards on the full table give each official health line as a next step. Full details: free sexual health care table.

Sources

Facts checked Oct 26, 2026. General information, not medical advice; this page does not give dosing or treatment advice. Talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your situation.