Lay summary
Aotearoa New Zealand is not on track to meet the government’s goal of eliminating HIV transmission by 2030. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) plays a critical role in HIV prevention. However, an estimated 8,600 men who have sex with men, who could benefit from PrEP, are not using it. Māori men are especially affected by this gap.
This research proposes a paradigm shift by redefining community pharmacists as autonomous health providers for end-to-end pharmacist-initiated PrEP. This model de-medicalises care and helps remove clinical barriers that often deter underserved populations.
This study integrates implementation science with Indigenous values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations to develop an equity-focused, adaptable implementation framework. This framework will support the national rollout of pharmacist-initiated PrEP, promising significant health cost savings. Furthermore, the tested framework will demonstrate proof of concept for expanding into commercial services and fill a market gap.