You will get a prescription for your HIV treatment, when you attend your regular HIV clinic appointment, which you take to either the specialist HIV pharmacy (in larger clinics) or to the hospital’s outpatient pharmacy. A high-street chemist will not usually dispense anti-HIV drugs, unless your clinic has an agreement with a community pharmacy.

You should be given supplies to last until your next clinic appointment. Once you are stable on HIV treatment, with an undetectable viral load, your clinic will often suggest you receive your anti-HIV drugs by delivery to a place of your choice (see our factsheet on ‘Home’ delivery of anti-HIV drugs for more information on ‘home’ delivery, sometimes also called local delivery), or by collection from a community pharmacy. By delivering your HIV treatment in this way, your clinic is able to save money as these medicines are then VAT exempt. You will still need to attend regular HIV clinic appointments to have your health monitored.

Always make sure you have enough medication to last until your next clinic appointment, as well as a small supply of spares, at home. If you think you might run out before this, contact your clinic as soon as possible to arrange a further supply.

The pharmacist will ask you if you are allergic to any medicines and explain how to take the drugs that have been prescribed to you. Pharmacists can help you with managing your medication use, including adherence, side-effects, drug interactions, food and drink requirements, storage, pill swallowing, and advice on taking your medicines while travelling.