PrEP: Highly Effective Preventative HIV Drug - Study Reveals

In this video, we discuss the groundbreaking study confirming the high efficacy of PrEP as a real-world preventative treatment for HIV. The study, conducted on 24,000 individuals in England, reveals that PrEP significantly reduces the chances of contracting HIV by approximately 86% in everyday life, even accounting for instances of inconsistent or incorrect use. PrEP, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, has been found to be 99% effective in clinical trials.

Led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, this study marks the largest real-world research of its kind. Funded by NHS England, it was carried out across 157 sexual health clinics in England between October 2017 and July 2020. The findings have been described as "reassuring" and emphasize the importance of easier access to PrEP.

The Terrence Higgins Trust HIV charity applauds the publication of this study but stresses the need for increased awareness and access to the drug, especially among minority groups. The organization calls for PrEP to be made available in pharmacies and online to reach a wider audience. Additionally, the study sheds light on important information regarding PrEP usage, including determining those who can benefit from it and encouraging more people to take it.

Individuals who have participated in PrEP trials, such as Harry Dodd, recount their experiences with the drug as empowering and liberating. Dodd, who has been taking PrEP for several years, no longer fears contracting HIV, enabling him to live more freely and confidently in his relationships. However, he notes that stigma remains attached to PrEP, mainly due to its association with the gay community.

It is crucial to understand that PrEP can benefit not only gay and bisexual men but also individuals from other groups, such as straight women. The drug, which contains HIV treatment drugs tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine, works by preventing the entry and replication of the virus in the body. PrEP can be taken as a daily pill or on an "event" basis before sexual intercourse.

The decision to make PrEP widely available on the NHS in England in 2020 was influenced by earlier findings from this research and previous clinical trials. The study's results, published in the Lancet HIV, have recently been released after extensive peer review due to the substantial sample size.

Overall, this study solidifies the effectiveness of PrEP in reducing the risk of HIV transmission, serving as a crucial step towards the government's goal of zero HIV transmissions by 2030. By providing free access to PrEP through sexual health services, we aim to create a world where new cases of HIV become a thing of the past. Stay informed and empowered by watching this informative video about the highly effective preventative HIV drug, PrEP.