The Aids Institute Commends Publix for Reevaluating HIV Prevention Drug Coverage

TAMPA, Florida, Feb. 6 -- AIDS Institute issued the following news release:

The AIDS Institute, based in Tampa, Florida, commends Publix Super Markets, an employee owned grocery store chain with over 1,100 stores in the Southeast U.S., for reevaluating their coverage of an FDA-approved HIV prevention medication. After press reports revealed that a Publix employee's health insurance plan was not covering the prescription for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), The AIDS Institute and other HIV advocates expressed concerns that such a large employer, headquartered in Florida with stores located in the region of the country hardest hit by the HIV epidemic, wasn't covering an important prevention medication.

Michael Ruppal, Executive Director of The AIDS Institute met with and provided important information, data, and cost-savings research with Publix and explained the importance of PrEP in preventing HIV in the United States for those who are at risk of becoming infected. Considering growing complaints, Publix was responsive and flexible and explained their employee health plan covers HIV medications for employees living with HIV and those needing it as a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). They were quick to learn more about how PrEP could benefit and protect the employees that are prescribed the prevention treatment.

"We are very pleased that Publix was open to meeting and reviewing their plan coverage policies and has agreed to reverse their decision and now cover PrEP as a preventative treatment," said Ruppal. "This is particularly reassuring since here in Florida and the rest of the Southeast U.S. HIV infection rates remain some of the highest in the country. Publix employees who are seeking to be on PrEP should be commended for taking the personal responsibility of wanting to protect themselves against HIV. Their employer, Publix, now should be commended for agreeing to include coverage of that medication as part of their employee health benefits."