Publix reverses policy denying coverage for HIV-prevention drug

Supermarket chain Publix has expanded its employee health care plans to include the HIV prevention method known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). According to CDC, PrEP is 92% effective at preventing infection among high-risk users who take the drug daily. The move by one of Florida's largest employers is significant: Publix employs 136,708 full or part-time workers throughout the state, while Florida had the country's fourth-highest rate of new HIV cases in 2016, according to CDC. The Human Rights Campaign and other groups in recent weeks have criticized Publix for refusing to cover PrEP. For the uninsured, a prescription for one PrEP medication, which is also used to treat HIV, can cost approximately $13,000 a year. Although Publix already provided coverage for the drug, that covered the treatment of HIV and not its prevention. Publix says it is working with its PBM to implement the change in policy as quickly as possible.