The study of 24,000 users found PrEP to be highly effective in a real-world setting. Image: GETTY IMAGES
Study Confirms Preventative HIV Drug, PrEP, as Highly Effective.
A study involving 24,000 individuals in England has affirmed the real-world effectiveness of a drug preventing HIV transmission.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) demonstrated an 86% reduction in the likelihood of acquiring HIV, according to the largest real-world study of its kind led by the UK Health Security Agency and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
While clinical trials suggested 99% effectiveness, the study, conducted at 157 sexual health clinics from October 2017 to July 2020, is deemed “reassuring.”
The Terrence Higgins Trust called for increased access to and awareness of PrEP, especially among underrepresented groups, advocating for availability in pharmacies and online.
Dr. John Saunders emphasized the study’s contribution to understanding the drug’s real-world usage.
Harry Dodd, who has been taking PrEP for several years. Image: HARRY DODD
Participants like Harry Dodd, who has participated in many PrEP studies, report feeling “empowering” after starting the medication since they no longer worry about contracting HIV.
For the past ten years, it has been completely out of my mind, and it feels great. Since starting the medication, I have been aware of the possibility of having a long-term partner with HIV, which was previously unknown to me. Thanks to this, I can now love without reservation.
It was “sexually related and historically connected to gay communities” that the substance was stigmatized, according to Mr. Dodd, a 33-year-old from north London.
The UKSHA stated that the medicine’s efficacy will contribute to the government’s goal of achieving zero new HIV infections by 2030; nonetheless, they emphasized the importance of increasing drug usage.
Dr. Saunders stated that the medicine would be beneficial for many people, including straight women, even though it would be most commonly used by homosexual and bisexual males.
PrEP prevents HIV from entering the body and replicating itself with the help of the current HIV therapy medications tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine.
You have the option of taking it once a day or on a “event” basis just before being sexually active.
Previous results from this study and other clinical studies informed the decision to expand access to the medication on the English National Health Service (NHS) in 2020.
This study’s findings were published in the Lancet HIV just recently due to the lengthy peer review process and big sample size.
We have reached out to NHS England for their reaction.