Study Concludes PrEP as an Extremely Effective Preventative Drug Against HIV

A study has confirmed that a drug used to prevent HIV infection has proven highly effective in real-world situations. The research, which involved 24,000 individuals across England, has been described as reassuring. Currently, thousands of people are already taking the drug, known as PrEP, through sexual health clinics. However, HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust argues that there needs to be easier access to PrEP, as many individuals, including women, are unaware of its existence. The study, conducted by the UK Health Security Agency and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, is the largest real-world study of its kind. It took place in 157 sexual health clinics between October 2017 and July 2020. The study found that PrEP reduced the chances of getting HIV by 86%, aligning with previous clinical trials which suggested the drug was 99% effective. Dr. John Saunders, a sexual health and HIV consultant involved in the study, stated that the trial highlighted the effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV transmission and demonstrated its protective effect at scale. The Terrence Higgins Trust welcomed the publication of the study but emphasized the need for increased access and awareness of the drug, particularly among minority groups. The charity called for PrEP to be made available in pharmacies and online to broaden accessibility. Although the clinical success of PrEP has been established, the study revealed additional information about its usage, such as the demographics of those who were prescribed the drug. It also emphasized the importance of correct usage for real-world effectiveness. Individuals who have taken PrEP trials expressed feeling empowered and liberated from the fear of contracting HIV. However, there is still stigma surrounding the drug because of its association with sexuality and historical connections to the gay community. Despite the effectiveness of the drug, the UK Health Security Agency highlighted that more people need to take it in order to achieve the government's goal of zero HIV transmissions by 2030. The study also demonstrated that PrEP can benefit various groups beyond gay and bisexual men, including straight women. PrEP consists of two existing HIV treatment drugs, tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine, and works by preventing HIV from entering the body and replicating. It can be taken on a daily basis or before sexual intercourse. The decision to make PrEP widely available on the NHS in England was based on earlier findings from this research and previous clinical trials. The study's results were only recently released due to the large sample size and the time required for peer review. NHS England has yet to comment on the study.