A study has shown that HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces the chances of HIV transmission as much as 86%, according to UKHSA.
The PrEP Impact Trial is the largest real-world study to measure the effectiveness of PrEP. The trial involved more than 24,000 participants from 157 sexual health services between October 2017 and July 2020.
Results of the landmark study will now support the goal of zero HIV transmissions by 2030, delivered through the government’s HIV Action Plan. PrEP is ‘highly effective’ at preventing HIV acquisition and should be more widely available to eligible groups, says UKHSA.
‘PrEP is key to our ambition to end HIV transmission in England,’ said Professor Kevin Fenton, chair of the HIV Action Plan implementation steering group.
‘Our national HIV Action Plan is clear on the key role of PrEP in preventing HIV transmission and there is ongoing work to develop a roadmap to guide our efforts to improve equitable access, uptake and use of PrEP to meet the needs of key populations at significant risk of HIV.’
Professor Fenton highlighted: ‘Over £3 billion has been provided to local authorities to fund public health services in England, including sexual health services. From 2020 this covers PrEP provision, making it available [for free] to anyone accessing sexual health services at risk of HIV.’
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