We applaud you on taking a significant step in actively caring for your sexual health and wellbeing – a vital aspect of self-care and empowerment!
We want to extend a warm welcome to the Freddie family and provide you with a comprehensive resource that you can access anytime. This resource contains information about what to expect and the next steps on your journey with us.
So you've completed your first appointment. What's next?
You will receive a welcome email shortly containing a brief overview of your next steps and valuable resources to kickstart your PrEP journey. Should you need more comprehensive information about the Freddie process, feel free to refer back to this article at any time.
1. Lab testing
Freddie's lab testing schedule is as follows:
- Initial lab tests: Before receiving your first prescription, you must complete initial lab tests, which consist of creatinine (kidney function), HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis A, B and C screenings.
- In some cases, you may also need to re-test 30 days after these initial tests to ensure your body is handling PrEP well. This doesn't apply to most people. If these tests are needed, your clinician will tell you in your initial appointment.
- Every three months: For most people, your next tests will start and continue quarterly (i.e. after three months, and every three months following). These will check your kidney function and test for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
For more information on visiting labs and for help finding a location, please visit www.gofreddie.com/prep-labs.
1a. Let us know
Once you have an appointment booked or you know the date you'll go for a walk-in, log into your Freddie patient portal to notify your care team. You can do this by going to your dashboard and clicking on the button to notify us under "plan your lab appointment". This will ensure that our care team is reaching out to you with next steps at the appropriate time.
1b. Complete your tests
Your requisition will be sent to you via your Freddie patient portal for download and printing. This will be under "Lab requisitions". If you've indicated a preferred lab, the requisition will also be faxed to them; however, it's still recommended to print a copy where possible. You can also keep a copy on your smartphone and email it to the lab, if they offer this service.
We recommend familiarizing yourself with your lab's options before your appointment. Please note that some labs may take up to 48 hours to receive the faxed requisition.
1c. Tell us when and where you tested
After completing your lab tests, please log back into your Freddie patient portal and go to your dashboard. Scroll down to "Lab Feedback Form" to give us your information. This will enable us to keep track of your results and send your prescription as soon as they are all reviewed. Please allow up to five days for us to receive and review your results before sending your first prescription.
Note
If your clinician has anything to discuss once we've got your results, they will reach out to you directly. Otherwise, no news is good news! Though it's rare, if we haven't issued your prescription five days after completing your tests then please reach out to us at support@gofreddie.com.
2. Prescriptions
Once your clinician has reviewed your results, if everything appears find they will send your first prescription to your preferred pharmacy! The prescription will be for either 30 or 90 days, depending on the decision made in your initial appointment. You will receive an email notification once it has been sent to the pharmacy.
- If you selected one of Freddie's partner pharmacies like Affirming Care (BC, AB, ON), Mint (AB), SRx Saskatoon Pharamacy (SK) or SRx Winnipeg Pharmacy (MB), they will get in touch with you to discuss your prescription, financing options (if applicable) and arrange free shipping in discreet packaging.
- If you chose your local pharmacy, they might contact your or you may need to reach out to them for pickup or delivery arrangements. If you haven't heard from them within 48 hours, please call them directly.
Your refill schedule
Since there can be a gap between when we send the prescription to your pharmacy and when you start taking the pills, it's important to update this schedule accordingly. Click on "Reschedule" in the main dashboard to adjust your schedule, if needed. This is an important step, because it ensures that we send your follow-up lab requisitions on time!
In some cases (e.g. because of your insurance policy), you may only receive 30 pills at a time even if you've been prescribed 90. Please ensure your pill count has the total number of pills in your prescription, even if you are being issued the medication 30 days at a time. If your prescription was for 30 pills only, then you should update it in line with this.
3. Refill process
About two months after you've received your first prescription (when you have about 30 pills left), you'll receive an email notification that your new lab requisition has been uploaded to your patient portal. If applicable, it will also have been faxed to your lab (see section 1b for more info).
3a. Self-assessment
To receive your refill, you must first complete the self-assessment questionnaire that will now be visible on your dashboard, reporting any side-effects or symptoms you may be experiencing as well as any doses you may have missed.
3b. Let us know
Repeat step 1a to let us know your appointment date or when you plan to walk in.
3c. Complete lab tests and give your feedback
Repeat steps 1b and 1c to do your lab tests and tell us when and where you did them.
3d. Receive your refill!
Your refill process with the pharmacy will be the same as with your initial prescription.
Follow-up appointments
To book a follow up appointment, click here to select your appointment reason and a suitable date/time. To reschedule or cancel appointments, click "Manage your appointment" on your dashboard or click "Clinical Appointments" in the side menu.
Need help?
- We have answers to commonly-asked questions in our self-serve help centre.
- If you have any non-clinical concerns (e.g. changing personal information or switching pharmacies), you can reach out to our care team here.
- If you have clinical concerns (e.g. you're having side effects or you've been exposed to an STI), you can message your clinician in your patient portal through the "Clinical Messages" tab in the side menu.