Council's Equalities Champion supports PrEP Awareness Week

Depute Provost and the council's Equalities Champion, Councillor Connor McManus is supporting PrEP Awareness Week, a campaign to raise awareness of HIV and your ability to access this vital medicine if you are at risk of contracting HIV.

Long term benefits

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medicine that stops you from contracting the virus and if taken correctly can stop the spread of HIV.

Attacks the immune system

HIV is a virus that affects your immune system if left untreated. The most common way to get HIV in Scotland is through unprotected sex.

More about the tablets

PrEP tablets contain two drugs called Tenofovir and Emtricitabine in a single tablet. These drugs have been used in HIV care for many years.

How to access

You can get PrEP for free through NHS Scotland sexual health services. 

Global health issue

Depute Provost and Equalities Spokesperson Cllr Connor McManus said: “It is important to be educated on the risks and long-term health implications of unprotected sex of any form. HIV continues to be a major global health issue, having claimed 40.1 million lives so far, according to the World Health Organisation.

If at risk

“If you think you could be at risk of contracting HIV, please seek an appointment with your local sexual health provider and explore your options with PrEP.

A proud supporter

“I am proud to be supporting PrEP Awareness Week, so that we can keep our communities educated and protected.”

More information

For further information, go to the www.prep.scot website. You can use the service finder to locate your nearest sexual health service. They will be happy to answer any questions you have. They can also arrange a PrEP appointment for you.