PrEP has been freely available through the HSE since 2019. The system is well-funded and efficiently run, but the initial hurdle is getting a clinic appointment to join the scheme.

🏥 How to Get Free PrEP

To get PrEP for free in Ireland, you must be prescribed it by an approved HSE PrEP service. You cannot simply ask a standard GP to prescribe it for free on the public scheme.

  1. Book a PrEP Assessment: You must secure an appointment at a public STI clinic (like the GMHS, GUIDE clinic, or a regional HSE clinic).
  2. The Screening: They will test you for HIV, STIs, and kidney function (Creatinine).
  3. The Prescription: If cleared, you are enrolled in the HSE PrEP programme. The clinic gives you a prescription.
  4. The Pharmacy: You take the prescription to any high-street pharmacy (e.g., Boots, Lloyds, or an independent pharmacy). They will dispense the medication for free.

The Waitlists: Booking that initial appointment is the hardest part. Clinics release slots online (often via the Swiftqueue system) on specific days and times. Check your local clinic's website for their release schedule.

💊 The Private Workaround

If you cannot get a clinic appointment and want to start immediately, you can pay a private doctor or a private sexual health clinic (like the massive network of private GPs in Dublin) for a PrEP prescription.

  • The Catch: If a private doctor prescribes it, you are not on the HSE free scheme. You will have to pay the pharmacy full price for the medication (usually around €50–€80 for a 30-day supply of generic Truvada).
  • The Bridge: Many guys use this as a bridge. They pay privately for the first few months to ensure they are protected, while simultaneously refreshing the public clinic booking page to get a slot on the free HSE scheme.

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