Testing for PrEP

If you have access to a secure printer, you may want to print your requisition to avoid delays when you attend your appointment. If you cannot print your requisition ahead of time, that’s okay! Our clinical support team can fax it to a specific lab location for you if requested.

For peace of mind, you may download your requisition from the Freddie patient portal. Some lab facilities accept electronic submissions during their booking process, and others may provide you with the option to email a copy leading up to your appointment.

If you have not already opted to have us fax the form but still want us to, you can let us know at support@gofreddie.com.

Swabs are an additional testing option that screen for STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea. They’re meant to test the body parts you may be using for sex, including the rectum (bum) and throat.

Swab tests look for localized infections not detected in your blood work. You can have an infection in one place, but not others, meaning a negative test from one body part (e.g. throat) does not mean your tests will be negative for other body parts (e.g. rectum).

After you have completed your swabs, please drop them off at the lab and wait for us to contact you about any concerns with the results. Remember, no news is good news.

We strongly recommend you include swabbing in your testing regimen, but it is not required to receive your PrEP prescription. If you would like to take advantage of swab testing, please contact us at support@gofreddie.com.

Freddie is now offering an at-home swab kit service at the beginning of each new 3-month prescription cycle with select partner pharmacies, pending swab supply!

From the conversation with your clinician, we may ask you about a swab when filling your prescription. However, you can always request a swab for asymptomatic STI testing. If you would like to take advantage of swab testing, please contact us at support@gofreddie.com.

Freddie knows that guidelines recommend STI testing at all sites every three months. However, the swabs for throat and rectal STI testing are supplied by Provincial Public Health programs or laboratories that regulate how many swabs a clinical program like Freddie is allowed to receive.
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This makes it difficult to ensure we have an adequate supply of swabs to send to all patients. The Public Health programs also require that at least 75% of swabs are used for testing, meaning we need to ensure that the swabs mailed to patients are actually used. 

Due to these issues, we must be selective in sending swabs to those at the highest risk based on clinician assessment and those who have gone for longer periods without testing.
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If you are sure you will complete the testing and return the swabs to the labs, we are happy to send these swabs to you with every prescription to ensure you get regular testing!

Want to take advantage of swab testing? Please contact us at support@gofreddie.com.

Try to arrive a few minutes early. The lab may be busy when you go, and late arrivals may not be able to be accommodated in a timely manner. If you happen to be late, the lab support staff may allow you to stay as a walk-in patient or reschedule for another day.

These labs are external to Freddie, meaning we have no control over their operations. If you want to cancel or reschedule an appointment, you’ll need to do this directly with the lab.

The two most important documents to bring to the lab are your requisition form and photo ID.

1. Requisition Form
You will need a copy of your requisition and any other documentation provided by your clinician. For Freddie’s services, usually, the only piece of documentation you will be provided is your requisition. Still, it is important to double-check and make sure you have all of the pages provided when you go. Your requisition can be found in your patient dashboard.

Before your visit, please double-check your personal information and let your care team know if any of it is incorrect.

2. Photo ID
You will need a valid provincial or territorial health care card as well as one of the following original government-issued photo IDs:

Other acceptable original documents include:

The cost of testing is covered under most provincial or territorial health insurance plans. If you do not have provincial or territorial health insurance, and laboratory testing is not covered for you under a private insurance plan, you may be required to provide payment for some tests.

If you are required to pay for testing, be prepared with a debit or credit card, as cash is not accepted at any location.

Unless otherwise specified by your Freddie clinician, you do not need to fast to complete our routine testing.

Freddie’s clinicians, clinical support specialists, and care coordinators may access your results during your time under our care.

For more information on how Freddie protects your Personal and Personal Health Information, you may review our Privacy Policy here.

If you receive your PrEP through one of our partner pharmacies, we can guarantee that your PrEP will be packaged in a non-identifiable envelope.There will be no indication of Freddie’s branding or any mention of its contents.

You will receive your prescription within three days of confirming your delivery address with our partner pharmacy.

You have a choice! 🙌

‍You can have it discreetly shipped to you through our partner pharmacy for free within 1-3 days. You won’t need to be home to receive the package unless you reside in Ontario. Our partner pharmacy will confirm a drop-off time that works best for you.

Or you can pick it up from our partner pharmacy or your preferred pharmacy!

You also have the option to get your prescription delivered to the post office for pick-up through Canada Post. This is a great option if you’d prefer to pick it up at your discretion. To arrange this, let the pharmacy know that you would like this service at the time of their call to arrange delivery.