About PrEPnu

PrEPnu has always been committed to collaboration, following the motto: we work with everyone but let no one hold us back. We have partnerships with organizations such as Aids Health Foundation, GGDs, COC, Hiv Vereniging, Aidsfonds, and Soa Aids Nederland, both in lobbying efforts and organizationally.

Since 2015, we have been working closely with a group of organizations and experts in the field, united as the lobbying group “PrEPared.” Together with them, we have endeavored, and continue to do so, to encourage politicians to make PrEP as accessible as possible. Results have varied (see “Brief Bruins”).

When the government sought advice from the Health Council for their policy decision, we, together with Hiv Vereniging, Aidsfonds, and COC, had the opportunity to present our points to the committee. This took place in June 2017. Check out the advice that the Health Council gave to the minister.

The national politics proved quite challenging when it came to PrEP. Motions from D66 and GroenLinks to introduce PrEP as quickly as possible often depended on the support of VVD, who, in turn, would back out during the voting process. We heard in the corridors that many members of parliament still held significant prejudices regarding homosexuality (although PrEP is not exclusively about homosexuality…). An offered petition from PrEPnu, containing 4,349 signatures, did not change this situation.

We achieved a small victory with the Municipality of Amsterdam in July 2017 when they allocated extra funds for the expansion of InPrEP at GGD-Amsterdam. PrEPnu spoke out when the motion (again from D66 and GroenLinks) was discussed in the city council.

PrEPnu has always been prominently present at debates on PrEP, such as the PrEP TALK in De Balie in September 2016 and the PrEP Debacle in February 2017 at Club Church.

As PrEPnu, we also participate in the We Are PrEPared group, which includes GGDs, general practitioners, Soa Aids Nederland, and PrEP experts, working to implement low-threshold PrEP and PrEP care at GGDs according to the Brief Bruins. As it stands, the third quarter of 2019…

In 2016, PrEPnu supported the boat of Poz & Proud, the gay men’s section of Hiv Vereniging, which was the first to draw attention to PrEP during the Amsterdam Canal Parade. In 2018, PrEPnu participated in the parade with a boat full of PrEP Warriors. PrEPnu also joined the Pride Walk, which traditionally opens Pride Amsterdam, three times. Drag queen Jennifer Hopelezz (also a member of PrEPnu without makeup) was an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam 2018, using her ambassadorship to promote and advocate for PrEP.

In 2017, PrEPnu achieved a significant success by negotiating lower prices for PrEP through discussions with pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies.

PrEPnu is present at major parties and events with its team of volunteers to inform the general public and especially potential PrEP users about PrEP. By being visibly present, we aim to ensure that the understanding of PrEP becomes increasingly integrated into our community.

Do you want PrEPnu to be present at your event too?
Email us at promotion(at)prepnu.nl

PrEPnu has been present at:

In July 2017, we started a low-threshold consultation with a medical professional for people seeking knowledge about PrEP. We also assisted individuals in obtaining PrEP when it was still unaffordable at Dutch pharmacies. Due to its high popularity and limited capacity, from October 2017, we had to switch to biweekly workshops. During these group consultations, participants receive information about what PrEP is, how to use it safely, and how to obtain it. We have both a representative from the gay community and a medical professional present to provide accurate and easily understandable information. The group setting allowed for collective reflection on the general and sexual health of the participants, enabling them to learn from one another.

More than 270 men have already attended these workshops.

We have now discontinued these workshops.

PrEPnu considers it important that an increasing number of healthcare providers become competent and familiar with prescribing PrEP. PrEPnu has been present at several training sessions for healthcare professionals, where we provided insight into the motivation behind the desire to use PrEP.

PrEPnu was represented at the following meetings for healthcare professionals:

• NRC, 23-12-2018
  “Call for ’emergency arrangement’ for pill that can prevent HIV“
• Radio 1, Spraakmakers — 27.11.2018
  “HIV without stigma? (Part 2)“
• Vrije Tijd Amsterdam — 15.07.2018
  “We want to fight for good and accessible HIV prevention care“
• Hivplusmag — 01.08.2018
  “Milkshake Blends HIV Prevention and Education with EDM“
• Vrij Nederland — 21.07.2018
  “The years of emancipation struggle for anti-HIV drug PrEP“
• VICE — 12.07.2018
  “PrEP is finally reimbursed, but wait a little longer before celebrating“
• RTL News website — 10.07.2018
  “HIV prevention pill soon to be reimbursed: ‘Step in the right direction’“
• RTL News website — 11.07.2018
  “One pill that can protect you against HIV: ‘Every test used to be scary’“
• Radio 1, De Nieuws BV — 27.03.2018
  “The end of HIV seems closer in the Netherlands“
• Trouw, Opinie — 20.12.2017
  “If the Second Chamber chooses for PrEP, HIV infection will become rare“
• Het Parool — 08.02.2018
  “No PrEP? Then no VVD boat at the Pride“
• Vice, Tonic website — 09.02.2018
  “Why the Dutch government must speed up the introduction of the HIV prevention pill PrEP“