Price of HIV-preventative drug skyrockets in Sweden

The monthly cost of the HIV-preventative drug PrEP has skyrocketed in Sweden, leaving users worried about affording the medication. Previously costing between 200 and 300 Swedish kronor per month, the price jumped to 2,070.25 kronor in July.

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I know people will stop taking PrEP now because they can't afford it. That doesn't mean HIV will disappear.

"I know people will stop taking PrEP now because they can't afford it. That doesn't mean HIV will disappear," said one user, Matias. Karl, who uses the medication in Stockholm, was shocked by the price increase and spent time comparing prices at different pharmacies to find a cheaper option around 400 kronor.

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It's hysterical. The price is not something I previously thought about when picking it up.

Healthcare professionals fear the price volatility could lead to an increase in HIV cases. Finn Filén, an attending physician at Venhälsan, emphasized that telling people to simply use condoms oversimplifies the reality of sexual health decisions. "If the choice is between sex without a condom and no sex at all, what will be the consequence?" he asked.

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To just say 'but just use a condom' is to grossly simplify reality. Many say 'I have no problem using a condom, but when I took one out, he didn't want to anymore'. If the choice is between sex without a condom and no sex at all, what will be the consequence?

While PrEP is covered by a high-cost protection system, where the region covers costs above an annual threshold of 3,800 kronor, the sudden price surge has caused significant anxiety among the approximately 3,000 regular users in Stockholm. Victor Westergren, unit manager at Venhälsan, noted that the price increase is a shock to anyone, regardless of the medication involved.

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It's a shock, of course. Anyone would have reacted regardless of which medication it was if it suddenly became significantly more expensive.