How to Get PrEP in Toronto: Coverage, Process & Free Delivery
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Can you get PrEP through Cloud Pharmacy in Toronto?
Yes. Cloud Pharmacy’s PrEP Clinic takes you from first consult to prescription to pickup or delivery. We start with a pharmacy consult, coordinate your doctor appointment and bloodwork in-house, and bill your coverage directly where possible. Your generic PrEP (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) can be picked up at the pharmacy or delivered free across the GTA in plain, unbranded, tamper-evident packaging.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. PrEP must be prescribed by a licensed prescriber who will decide whether it is right for you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
Key Takeaways
- Coverage options: PrEP may be covered through OHIP+, private insurance, the Trillium Drug Program, the Ontario Drug Benefit, Ontario Works/ODSP, NIHB and IFHP, depending on your eligibility.
- A clear plan: Your pharmacist helps you map out a 12-month plan for doctor appointments and coverage.
- Bloodwork in-house: We coordinate your doctor appointment and bloodwork.
- Free GTA delivery: Delivery is free across the GTA, with same-day delivery across downtown Toronto.
- PrEP does not protect against other STIs. Condoms are still recommended.
What Is PrEP and Who Should Take It?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily prescription medication for HIV-negative people to prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP lowers the risk of getting HIV from sex by up to 99%. It is taken once a day, and missing doses lowers your protection. The medication used is generic Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), and your prescriber decides whether it is right for you.
PrEP may be worth discussing with a prescriber if you have an HIV-positive partner, have multiple sexual partners, don’t always use condoms, or simply want proactive protection. Whether it is right for you is a decision for you and your prescriber.
PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis. Using condoms along with PrEP lowers your risk of other STIs, and regular STI testing is part of PrEP follow-up.
Is PrEP Covered in Ontario? (Costs & Insurance Breakdown)
Without coverage, generic Truvada costs approximately $260 a month, so checking your coverage first matters. Generic PrEP is covered through several public and private programs, and our pharmacists check which ones apply to you for free. For more detail, see our Drug Coverage page and our blog post OHIP+ and Free Prescriptions.
Coverage route | Who it’s for | What you may pay |
|---|---|---|
OHIP+ | Ontario residents under 25 without a private insurance plan | $0 for eligible prescriptions |
Private / group insurance | People with an employer or other extended health plan | Varies by plan (co-pay, percentage or deductible) |
Trillium Drug Program | Ontarians with high drug costs relative to household income | Subsidized once your income-based deductible is met |
Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) | Seniors 65 and older | Covered under the program, subject to its rules |
Ontario Works / ODSP | People receiving social assistance | Covered under the program, subject to eligibility |
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) | Status First Nations and Inuit | Covered under the program, subject to eligibility |
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) | Many refugees | Covered under the program, subject to eligibility |
Actual costs depend on your eligibility, the specific medication, your plan, and any deductibles or dispensing fees. Confirm your coverage with your pharmacist.
OHIP+ (under 25)
If you are under 25, covered by OHIP and do not have a private plan, eligible generic PrEP prescriptions are covered by OHIP+ at no cost to you.
Private insurance
Many private extended health plans cover generic PrEP, but coverage varies by plan. We can direct-bill your insurer where possible, so you pay only what your plan doesn’t cover, such as a deductible or co-pay. Check your plan details or ask your pharmacist.
Trillium Drug Program
The Ontario government’s Trillium Drug Program helps residents whose drug costs are high compared with their household income. Once you meet your annual income-based deductible, the program helps cover eligible medications, including PrEP. The deductible is about 4% of your household’s net income, paid in quarterly installments, and after that each prescription costs only a small co-pay. Our pharmacists can help you apply.
Other public programs
PrEP may also be covered for seniors 65+ (ODB), people on Ontario Works or ODSP, status First Nations and Inuit (NIHB) and many refugees (IFHP).
How Getting PrEP at Cloud Pharmacy Works
Our PrEP Clinic follows three steps.
Step 1: Pharmacy consult
You meet with our pharmacist to talk through your needs. Together we make a 12-month plan for your doctor appointments and your coverage, so there are no surprises.
Step 2: Doctor appointment and bloodwork
We coordinate your doctor appointment and bloodwork in-house. The prescriber reviews your history and test results and decides whether PrEP is appropriate for you.
Canadian guidelines recommend baseline testing before you start PrEP, including:
- HIV status
- Kidney function
- Hepatitis B screening
- STI screening
Guidelines also recommend regular follow-up testing while you take PrEP, typically about every three months. CATIE is a good source for current Canadian PrEP guidance.
Step 3: Pick up your PrEP or request delivery
Pick up your PrEP at the pharmacy (55 Dundas St E) or ask for delivery. Already have a prescriber? They can fax your prescription to 647-748-1336, or you can submit it online. See how to get PrEP for details.
Free Delivery and Discreet Packaging
Delivery is free across the GTA, including Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. Same-day delivery is available across downtown Toronto. See our Free Delivery page for current details.
Your order arrives in plain, unbranded, tamper-evident packaging.
Side Effects and Safety
Common side effects. Some people have nausea, headache, diarrhea, stomach upset or tiredness when starting PrEP. These are usually mild and often ease within days. Talk to your pharmacist or prescriber if they continue or bother you.
Kidney and liver precautions. Rarely, PrEP can affect the kidneys or liver, which is why blood tests are done before you start and about every three months while you take it. Tell your prescriber about any kidney problems and about other medications you take, including over-the-counter products.
Hepatitis B precautions. The medications in PrEP also act against hepatitis B. If you have hepatitis B, stopping PrEP can cause a flare of the infection. That is why hepatitis B screening is part of baseline testing. Do not stop taking PrEP without speaking to your prescriber.
Other STIs. PrEP does not protect against other STIs. Condoms and regular testing remain important.
Possible recent exposure to HIV? PrEP is for ongoing prevention. If you think you were exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, seek care as soon as possible, because post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be an option. See the PEP section of our HIV Pharmacy page.
Privacy and Confidentiality
We know sexual health needs discretion. Cloud Pharmacy handles your personal health information in line with our Privacy Policy, which is based on PHIPA, Ontario’s health privacy law. Your delivery is packed in plain, unbranded packaging with no PrEP or drug names on the outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need bloodwork before starting PrEP?
Canadian guidelines recommend baseline testing before you start, including HIV, kidney function, hepatitis B and STI screening, with regular follow-up testing afterward. We coordinate your doctor appointment and bloodwork in-house, and the prescriber decides if PrEP is suitable for you.
Is generic PrEP as effective as brand-name Truvada?
Generic PrEP contains the same active ingredients (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) as brand-name Truvada and is approved by Health Canada.
How much does PrEP cost with private insurance in Ontario?
It depends on your plan, including your co-pay, percentage coverage and deductible. Your pharmacist can check your coverage and direct-bill your insurer where possible.
What if I don’t have insurance or OHIP+?
You may qualify for the Trillium Drug Program or another public program, such as ODB, Ontario Works/ODSP, NIHB or IFHP. If you have no coverage, generic options are available at a reduced cost, and our pharmacist can give you a personalized estimate and help you apply. See our Drug Coverage page.
Which areas get free delivery?
Delivery is free across the GTA, including Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. Same-day delivery is available across downtown Toronto. See our Free Delivery page.
Can I transfer an existing PrEP prescription?
Yes. If you already have a PrEP prescription at another Ontario pharmacy, fill out our 2-minute prescription transfer form. We will contact your current pharmacy and transfer your remaining refills. We can also send you refill reminders.
Can my own doctor prescribe PrEP and send it to you?
Yes. Your doctor can fax your prescription to us (see Step 3). If you need help finding a PrEP doctor, call us at 647-748-1337. See how to get PrEP.
Ready to Start?
Questions? Call 647-748-1337 or read more on our PrEP page.
