Program Workflow
This workflow outlines how PrideScript partner pharmacies deliver PrEP and PEP safely, efficiently, and in compliance with California law. Each step reflects standard pharmacy practice and can be adapted to your site’s workflow.
1. Awareness and Engagement
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Pharmacists and pharmacy staff play a key role in normalizing HIV prevention. Engagement can occur during routine encounters, including prescription pickup, immunizations, testing visits, and counseling. The program also provides client-facing materials, such as posters, pocket cards, and flyers, to raise awareness of services. Simple prompts like “Have you heard of PrEP?” or “We offer HIV prevention services here” can help start the conversation and connect patients to care.
2. Patient Intake
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The pharmacist conducts a brief, patient-centered intake to assess eligibility for PrEP or PEP. This includes recent HIV exposure risk, medication history, kidney function, pregnancy considerations, and current symptoms. Intake follows CDC guidance and California pharmacy protocols.
The program provides standardized intake forms and tablet devices, enabling patients to complete intake electronically, streamlining the visit and reducing staff workload.
3. HIV Testing
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A negative HIV test is required to start PrEP. Pharmacies may perform a CLIA-waived rapid HIV test on-site or review a patient-provided HIV test result from the past 7 days. Results are reviewed and documented before medication is dispensed. Any reactive result is managed per public health reporting requirements and linkage-to-care protocols.
4. PrEP and PEP Counseling
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The pharmacist explains PrEP and PEP options, including daily oral PrEP, on-demand PrEP when appropriate, and long-acting injectable PrEP (if available). Counseling covers how to take each option, adherence, missed doses, common side effects, and follow-up needs. PEP is reviewed when there has been a recent possible exposure.
This visit may also include brief education on HIV prevention strategies and ways to reduce risk.
5. Initiate Medication
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Under California law, trained pharmacists may furnish PrEP for 60 to 90 days and PEP for 28 to 30 days. The medication is dispensed by the pharmacy on the same day as the visit.
Depending on site capacity, this step may also include additional services such as hepatitis C and syphilis testing, recommended vaccinations, birth control or emergency contraception, naloxone distribution, safer use supplies, and referrals to substance use support or treatment.
6. Follow Up and Laboratory Testing
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Patients are connected to required follow-up laboratory testing, which may include kidney function tests, hepatitis screening, and sexually transmitted infection testing, depending on the PrEP option used. Pharmacies may order labs under a collaborative practice agreement or refer patients to external providers or laboratories.
7. Linkage to Ongoing Care
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Pharmacists support the transition to ongoing PrEP management with a primary care provider or HIV specialist. Community health workers assist with scheduling, insurance navigation, and follow-up. Patients are supported throughout the transition to ensure continuity of care.
8. Documentation and Reporting
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All encounters are documented in accordance with pharmacy and program standards. Positive HIV test results are reported to the local county public health department through required reporting systems. Reporting is limited to required information and supports public health follow-up and linkage to care.
Questions About Implementation or Workflow?
The PrideScript team is available to support pharmacies and clinicians with workflow setup, training, and troubleshooting.