Pharmacist Spotlight: Cassandra Esperant, PharmD, AAHIVP

Tell us a bit about your career and what you do now.

I am currently a clinical pharmacist focusing on HIV prevention. In order to help decrease stigma and provide updates around HIV, I created an Instagram page to educate and dispel the myths about HIV. My advocacy is focused on pharmacists’ ability to prescribe preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) via a collaborative practice agreement. This will allow PrEP access to the individuals in marginalized communities who do not have access. In 2020, with all the knowledge I gained in my career, I was inspired to open a consulting company called PrEPRx with a focus on education about HIV and sexual wellness. I serve organizations that provide education for health care providers and patients from historically marginalized communities who are often overlooked in our health care system.

Based on 2021 statistics, the rate of new HIV infections among Black women is 10 times that of White women and 4 times that of Latina women. Notably, the overall trend in new HIV infections has shown a decline, with a 12% decrease from 2018 to 2022. This decrease was particularly significant among young men who have sex with men, but we also saw a 12% reduction in infections acquired through heterosexual transmission during this period.¹ These data underscore the critical need for targeted prevention and treatment efforts, especially within communities and populations that are disproportionately affected by heterosexual transmission of HIV.

As a pharmacist, I strongly believe that representation matters. Having providers [who] reflect the communities that are being served will improve HIV prevention efforts.

How did your passion for PrEP and HIV care develop?

I remember watching the news as a child, and I saw my very own Haitian community in New York protesting the idea of not being able to donate blood based on an unscientific claim that Haitians were part of the [so-called] 4-H HIV risk group (heroin users, those with hemophilia, homosexual individuals, and Haitians). I understood what stigma was before I knew what the term meant. From that day on, I started developing a heart for advocacy for anyone who is a part of any marginalized community, and I loved advocacy before I even understood what it meant.

Why are pharmacists so well positioned to spearhead these types of clinical programs?

Pharmacists are uniquely positioned due to their accessibility, [their] expertise, and their role as trusted health care providers. They can offer counseling, monitor adherence, and provide ongoing support, which are crucial for the success of PrEP and HIV programs. Pharmacists’ frequent interactions with patients allows for timely interventions and education, improving overall outcomes. If a patient comes into the pharmacy to pick up a medication for a sexually transmitted infection, birth control, or condoms, it would be a great opportunity to offer HIV prevention to the community.

I recently became the cochair for the Florida chapter of the American Academy of HIV Medicine. I am incredibly excited about the advocacy I will be participating in to move not only the profession of pharmacy forward but to end the HIV epidemic. If any readers are from Florida and are interested in getting credentialed and joining as a member, please reach out to me!

You also have a big focus on community education. What do you think about the pharmacist’s role in their community?

Most Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, and offering HIV prevention services would allow for discreet and readily available access for patients. I am really interested in studies that are exploring offering HIV prevention services in places like the beauty salon or the barbershop—or in other words, meeting people where they are. Imagine a community where the hairstylist speaks to customers about HIV prevention, leading them to drive to the community pharmacy, get tested, and start HIV PrEP or PEP.

Let’s Connect!

Email: theprepandhivpharmacist@gmail.com

Instagram: @theprepandhivpharmacist

LinkedIn: Cassandra Esperant, PharmD, AAHIVP