Study says preventive HIV drug highly effective

A new study has confirmed that a drug known as PrEP, which stops HIV infecting the body has proved to be a highly effective “real-world” preventative treatment and the results of the research on 24,000 people across England, have been described as “reassuring”.

The UK Health Security Agency which led the trial with the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said it was the largest ever study of its kind.

The study found that use of PrEP, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, reduced the changes of getting HIV by around 86% when used in everyday life – taking into account inconsistent or incorrect use.  Clinical trials suggested the medication is 99% effective.

Dr John Saunders, a consultant in sexual health and HIV who worked on the study, said “This trial has further demonstrated the effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV transmission and has, for the first time, shown the protective effect reported by earlier trials, but at scale, and delivered through routine sexual health services in England.”

The Terrence Higgins Trust welcomed the study’s publication, but said there was “more to be done” to increase access to, and awareness of, the drug, particularly among some minority groups.

Debbie Laycock, head of policy at the charity, said “We think that there are certain communities and individuals at the moment who could benefit from PrEP but aren’t accessing it.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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