NHS to double capacity of PrEP trial after huge demand for HIV prevention drug.
NHS England is to double the size of its implementation trial of the HIV prevention drug PrEP (the ‘Impact trial’), to widen participation to an additional 13,000 patients.
Numbers originally allocated to the trial have proved inadequate to meet demand, with the cap on the number of places available to clinics meaning that in some clinics people who need and want PrEP are being turned away, some of these people have gone on to acquire the HIV virus.
In Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, no limitations have been placed on the numbers who can access PrEP.
The news that the NHS is preparing to fund so many new places has been welcomed by campaigners and clinicians across the sexual health sector, although the trial expansion will still require approval from a Trial Oversight Board, due to meet later this month.
Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), said: “Having been pushing for increased access to PrEP for so long, we are pleased that NHS England has listened to us and agreed to fund more spaces for PrEP patients on the Impact trial. It has been completely unacceptable to see people in need of PrEP being turned away from clinics. PrEP is one of the additional tools we have always needed to reverse the spread of HIV, and these extra places will mean that fewer people acquire the virus. This is a welcome step on the path to PrEP access.”
“It’s crucial that the Trial Oversight Board approves this measure, so that we can move swiftly on to the great deal of remaining work to be done in making sure that everyone who might benefit – especially women and heterosexual men – hears the news that there’s now an effective HIV prevention pill. We need now to ensure a smooth and effective move to routine commissioning as soon as possible, alongside adequate funding to ensure that sexual health clinics can meet growing demand for their services.”
Cllr Ray Puddifoot MBE, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care, added: “HIV remains a major public health challenge – especially in London, where around 39,000 people live with the condition. HIV prevention is a priority public health issue for London boroughs and we work collaboratively through the London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP), which has made a major contribution to the capital’s progress on reducing HIV rates.
“PrEP is an important part of our combination approach to HIV prevention and NHS England’s decision will boost these efforts. However, the trial has cost implications for boroughs as public health commissioners. We look forward to receiving clarity over how the burden on boroughs will be funded.”
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