Pharmacy-based PrEP to help women stay on PrEP in Zimbabwe
Official title: A randomized trial to determine impact, cost and cost effectiveness of pharmacy-based PrEP on PrEP continuation for women at high risk of HIV
Funded at Centre/sexual Hlth/hiv Aid Res/zimbabwe · NIH-11169415 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether letting women at high risk obtain PrEP refills through local pharmacies, with small incentives, helps them stay on PrEP longer and more cost-effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Centre/sexual Hlth/hiv Aid Res/zimbabwe NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Harare, Zimbabwe) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $504,476 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH140751-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169415 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women in Zimbabwe at high risk of HIV who are starting or continuing PrEP and are willing to use community pharmacies.
✕Less likely to help
Participants who do not use or benefit from pharmacy refills, or who prefer clinic-based care, may see no advantage.
What this research studies
This project builds on a successful pilot in Harare that let women pick up PrEP from community pharmacies, aiming to make ongoing PrEP use easier and cheaper. It will compare the pharmacy-based approach to standard clinic-based refills to see if it improves continuation and value for money. Women in the study will be adults at high risk of HIV who are starting PrEP or continuing it, with support from pharmacists and KP program staff. The trial will monitor refill adherence, costs, and health outcomes over time to inform policy and practice in Zimbabwe and similar settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could make PrEP more accessible and affordable for women at risk, reducing new HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pilot work suggests the approach is acceptable and potentially effective, justifying a larger randomized trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Centre/sexual Hlth/hiv Aid Res/zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sibanda, Euphemia Lindelwe — Centre/sexual Hlth/hiv Aid Res/zimbabwe
- Study coordinator: Sibanda, Euphemia Lindelwe
Related research
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-
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A large project in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through men’s social networks, with phone support, can lead to more men starting PrEP and using HIV testing.
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Participatory system dynamics to improve PrEP access in the Bronx
A community-driven project in the Bronx will use system dynamics to identify practical ways to help people at risk for HIV start and stay on PrEP.
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TB PrEP: Bringing HIV prevention to households affected by TB in Uganda
Aims to help people in households with TB in Uganda access HIV PrEP as part of a combined prevention approach.
-
CARES: A practical program to help adolescent girls and young women use PrEP in Africa
A program called CARES helps young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe use different PrEP options better, with counseling, reminders, and options for support.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.