HIV prevention drug PrEP will be available to NHS patients in England within weeks

Thousands of NHS patients will be able to access the HIV prevention drug, PrEP, within weeks.

The UK government announced the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, Truvada, will be available to those at high risk of the infection.

The NHS has been in a long trial appealing against providing the drug claiming they didn’t have the funding. After a while of fighting, the High Court demanded they provide the drug.

‘NHS England and Public Health England announced in December 2016 that up to £10 million is to be made available to run a three-year trial for pre-exposure prophylaxis to answer outstanding questions about future access and implementation,’ said Health Minister Steve Brine.

‘Work continues to ensure a robust trial starting as quickly as possible.

‘Following the drug procurement, NHS England expects to be able to confirm the award of the final contract no later than the first week of August, meaning trial drugs could be available from early August, in readiness for the trial to begin once ethics approval is received and trial sites are prepared.’

PrEP has been proven to be over 90% effective if taken daily. Truvada will cost around £500 per person a year.

The average cost of providing PrEP for one lifetime is £360,000. Though the cost is pricey, the results in minimizing the infection can be deemed as being cost-effective.

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