Differences in PrEP accessibility in the European Union : Paper for the Students’ Scientific Association Conference

Abstract

Proper HIV and AIDS treatments were held up for decades, and now that an efficient prevention method, PrEP, is available, the world is facing a similar issue once again. While rich democracies provide their patients with the drugs, supplies in most part of the third world and in Eastern Europe, where HIV infection rates are significantly higher, are not accessible. This paper seeks to answer why PrEP is not accessible in most Eastern European countries using the constructivist norm diffusion framework. The paper uses different theoretical bases, discourse analysis, articles and interviews with MEPs and a former member of LGBTQ+ rights advocacy. The cause of this issue is rather interdependent: poor treating of gay rights, corruption and NGO’s agenda-setting activity leads to poor PrEP implementation strategies.