São Paulo expands free HIV prevention access via Metro machines

The São Paulo City Hall, in partnership with the São Paulo Metro and the Municipal Health Secretariat, has installed a sixth automated machine to provide free HIV prevention medications. The new unit is located at the Brigadeiro station on Line 2-Green.

The machines dispense PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), and HIV self-test kits. Since the first machine was launched in June 2024, approximately 18,000 pickups have been recorded. The machines operate daily from 4:40 a.m. to midnight, with some locations offering 24-hour service on weekends.

To access the medication, users must undergo a free medical evaluation via the SPrEP channel on the e-saúdeSP app between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Following the consultation, a digital prescription and QR code are issued, which can be scanned at the machine for automatic dispensing. Other active machines are located at Consolação, Santana, Luz, Vila Sônia, and Brás stations.

This initiative is part of a long-term effort to control HIV infections. Data indicates that new infection cases in São Paulo fell by approximately 56% between 2016 and 2025, with a 59% reduction observed in the 15 to 29 age group.