Elective medicine (Truvada for PrEP) and medical - how to handle?

[TheMaze]

I'm a US citizen currently living in the US and I'm taking an elective medicine (Truvada for PrEP). This medicine prevents people in high-risk groups from getting HIV even if they are exposes to it. Again, I am HIV negative, and could stop taking this any time I would like with no issues (aside from no longer getting the protection from HIV exposures). I'm wondering how to handle this when it comes to my medical.

The problem is, the cost of this medicine is about $8600/year, making it over the cost threshold, so I'm uncertain what to do. For a number of reasons, I would much rather not stop taking it. It is unlikely to come up in any bloodwork they run, so I'm leaning toward simply not mentioning it to the doctor. Given it's not a medical requirement for me to take it, I feel like this is ethically OK. Thoughts?

 

[ozlis]

I'm a US citizen currently living in the US and I'm taking an elective medicine (Truvada for PrEP). This medicine prevents people in high-risk groups from getting HIV even if they are exposes to it. Again, I am HIV negative, and could stop taking this any time I would like with no issues (aside from no longer getting the protection from HIV exposures). I'm wondering how to handle this when it comes to my medical.

The problem is, the cost of this medicine is about $8600/year, making it over the cost threshold, so I'm uncertain what to do. For a number of reasons, I would much rather not stop taking it. It is unlikely to come up in any bloodwork they run, so I'm leaning toward simply not mentioning it to the doctor. Given it's not a medical requirement for me to take it, I feel like this is ethically OK. Thoughts?

One of the questions that you are asked is, are you currently taking any medication. I don't think it would be ethical to say no.

Are you paying the full cost of the medication currently? They would be more interested in who foots the bill for it.

 

[TheMaze]

One of the questions that you are asked is, are you currently taking any medication. I don't think it would be ethical to say no.

My thought process though is that I could stop taking it tomorrow with no issues. So technically I could stop 2 weeks before my medical, truthfully say no, then start up the next day. I fail to see how this is ethically different, though I have to undergo lab work to start up again, so it's a moderate pain on my part.

Are you paying the full cost of the medication currently? They would be more interested in who foots the bill for it.

I'm currently in the US and my US insurance pays for it. By the time I get my ITA I expect to already be living in Canada and my job's insurance will be paying for it there.