Scripted for Her: HIV Among Women

In episode 11 of Scripted for Her, host Natalie DiPietro Mager, PharmD, PhD, was joined by Paul Weidle, PharmD, MPH, retired CDC veteran and expert in infectious diseases and HIV medicine.

“March 10th is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and this day annually gives us an opportunity to shed light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls and to show support for those who are at risk of and living with HIV,” said Mager in her introduction to this month’s episode. “Given his deep expertise, I've invited Paul to share some information regarding the current burden of HIV infection among women in the us.”

During this installment, Weidle shares that while women account for approximately 20% of new HIV infections annually, Black or African American women are disproportionately affected—representing 50% of new diagnoses among women in 2022. He emphasizes that pharmacists are well-positioned as frontline providers to provide testing and offer powerful prevention tools and medications, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

The conversation highlights various prevention regimens, such as once-daily oral tablets and newer, long-acting injectables like cabotegravir and lenacapavir. Weidle also notes the success of antiretroviral therapy in preventing perinatal transmission, which has decreased significantly over the last decade.

By utilizing collaborative practice agreements and standing orders, among other avenues of improving community-wide HIV outcomes, pharmacists can provide immediate access to care and support long-term treatment adherence.

Explore some of the resources mentioned in today’s episode:

• National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) Resources: PrEP/PEP Access and Pharmacist-Initiated PrEP and PEP
• American Pharmacists Association Pharmacy-Based HIV Prevention Services Certificate Training Program

Scripted for Her, a podcast from Drug Topics hosted by Natalie DiPietro Mager, PharmD, PhD, MPH, professor of pharmacy practice at Ohio Northern University, aims to help pharmacists provide comprehensive care and continuity of care within the women’s health space. All episodes of Scripted for Her are available in video format via DrugTopics.com on the third Wednesday of each month. Check out our most recent episode, Scripted for Her: Pharmacist Management of Preeclampsia.

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