The Department of Health has issued Administrative Order No. 2026-0005, replacing the 2021 interim guidelines on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) with a permanent, expanded national policy that now covers both PrEP and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The order formalizes how these prevention tools should be delivered across the country and introduces significant changes to make them more accessible.
Why this matters
The Philippines has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region, with a 550% increase in annual new infections between 2010 and 2024. As of November 2025, an average of 55 new HIV cases are reported daily, bringing the cumulative total to over 162,000.
PrEP and PEP are proven to prevent HIV infection by almost 99%. According to the DOH, with expanded PrEP and PEP implementation, an estimated 43,000 new HIV cases could be averted in the Philippines by 2030.
What changed from the 2021 interim guidelines
The 2021 interim guidelines only covered PrEP. This new order is a complete overhaul that:
- Covers both PrEP and PEP under a single unified policy
- Introduces event-driven PrEP (ED-PrEP) as an alternative to taking a pill every day
- Allows telemedicine-based access for screening, initiation, counseling, and follow-up
- Expands who can provide services through task-sharing with trained nurses, midwives, community health workers, and peer providers
- Removes the kidney function test as a requirement before starting PrEP (it can now be completed within the first three months after starting)
- Mandates service delivery free from stigma and discrimination
- Supports community-based and peer-led delivery through drop-in centers, mobile clinics, pharmacies, and online platforms
Who is eligible for PrEP
PrEP is recommended for anyone with a substantial risk of acquiring HIV. The order specifically lists:
- Sexual partners of a person living with HIV who is not virally suppressed
- People with recent or likely future inconsistent condom use
- People with a recent sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- People with recent PEP use for sexual exposure, especially those who have used PEP more than once
- People who inject drugs or use drugs
- Anyone who requests PrEP (this alone is considered an indicator of exposure risk)
- Anyone who screens non-reactive for HIV (PrEP should be routinely offered)
PrEP is NOT for people who are already living with HIV, people with a known exposure in the past 72 hours (they should receive PEP instead), or people with suspected acute HIV infection.
How PrEP dosing works
The order introduces two dosing options for oral PrEP:
Daily PrEP involves taking one pill at the same time every day during the period of risk. This is the standard approach and is appropriate for everyone.
Event-driven PrEP (ED-PrEP) is a new option for people assigned male at birth who are not taking estradiol-based hormones. It involves taking a double dose (two pills) 2 to 24 hours before sexual exposure, then one pill 24 hours after the first dose, and one more pill 48 hours after the first dose.
ED-PrEP is not for everyone. It is only recommended for people assigned male at birth who are not on estradiol-based hormones. All other groups should use daily PrEP and should take it for at least seven days before it reaches protective levels.
The locally available PrEP medications are:
- Tenofovir 300 mg + Emtricitabine 200 mg
- Tenofovir 300 mg + Lamivudine 300 mg
Both can be used interchangeably.
PEP: within 72 hours of exposure
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is for people who may have been exposed to HIV within the past 72 hours. It involves taking a 28-day course of three antiretroviral drugs.
Key points from the order:
- PEP must not be delayed for medicolegal procedures, laboratory results, or confirmation of the source's HIV status
- The recommended regimen is TDF + Lamivudine (or Emtricitabine) + Dolutegravir
- HIV retesting should be done at 4 and 12 weeks after starting PEP
- People who complete PEP and remain at ongoing risk can transition directly to PrEP without a gap
Where to access PrEP and PEP
The order mandates differentiated service delivery, meaning PrEP and PEP should be available through multiple channels:
- Health facilities including HIV treatment hubs and social hygiene clinics
- Community-based settings such as drop-in centers and mobile clinics
- Pharmacies
- Telemedicine and virtual platforms
- Peer-led and community-led organizations
Trained community health workers and peer providers can now screen for eligibility, initiate PrEP and PEP, dispense medications, and provide counseling. This is a major shift from the previous model where only physicians could initiate these services.
Access for young people
The order includes specific provisions for young people:
- Ages 15 to 18 can consent independently for PrEP and PEP. Guardian involvement is not required.
- Under 15 requires proxy consent from a parent or guardian, but the minor's assent must also be secured.
- Age-appropriate counseling and support services must be provided.
What this means for you
If you are at risk for HIV, PrEP and PEP are now easier to access than ever. You no longer need to wait for a kidney function test before starting PrEP. You can access services through community organizations and telemedicine, not just hospitals. And if you are between 15 and 18, you can seek these services on your own.
You can find facilities that offer PrEP and HIV testing through our directory. If you want to learn more about how PrEP works, read our complete PrEP guide for Filipinos.
Download the full order
The complete Administrative Order No. 2026-0005 from the Department of Health is available as a PDF.
Source: Administrative Order No. 2026-0005, "Guidelines on Differentiated Service Delivery for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in the Prevention of HIV in the Philippines." Department of Health, March 23, 2025.
