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Development and evaluation of an online HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) training program for community pharmacists to implement pharmacy-led PrEP services in Malaysia

Gan YN 1 , Zaki R 1 , Hafidzar SA 2 , Koh KC 3 , Ahmad Nizaruddin M 4 , Mohd Noh R 5 Show all authors , Khalid KE 6 , Yap A 7 , Altice FL 2 , Lim SH 1 , Azwa I 2

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Centre of Excellence for Research in Infectious Diseases and AIDS (CERiA), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Medicine, IMU University Clinical Campus, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Community and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Cyberjaya, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 6 Department of Medicine, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 7 The Red Clinic, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
PLoS One, 2025;20(8):e0328713.
PMID: 40824910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328713

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Expanding HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through pharmacies may improve access for key populations. As part of the preparation phase of the EPIS (Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment) framework, we developed and evaluated an online, self-paced PrEP training program for community pharmacists to prepare for a pilot, pharmacy-led PrEP service in Malaysia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In May 2023, a PrEP training committee developed an online training program covering PrEP efficacy, safety, eligibility, baseline assessments, laboratory testing, prescribing, and special circumstances, and pre-/post-training knowledge tests. In June 2023, 18 community pharmacists asynchronously completed the training. Effectiveness was evaluated using a 20-question pre-/post-training knowledge test, with responses calculated into percentage scores, alongside participant feedback. Paired t-tests assessed knowledge score differences (p 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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