British HIV Groups Say PrEP Should Not Be Offered Yet

The British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) have issued a statement saying that efficacy data on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is not compelling enough for PrEP to be offered to patients on demand, aidsmap reports.

PrEP is given to HIV-negative people who are at high risk for the virus. They take antiretroviral medications daily in an effort to lower their risk.

The BHIVA/BASHH statement contrasts with guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which support providing PrEP for men who have sex with men. According to the BHIVA/BASHH statement, the increased rate of new HIV cases in the United Kingdom points to a need for a new HIV prevention strategy. The statement also points out that there are too many unanswered questions about PrEP, including how much will it cost, will it lead to drug resistance, will it encourage people to not use condoms, and will it lead to long-term drug toxicity.

To read the aidsmap article, visit: http://www.aidsmap.com/PrEP-needs-more-study-before-being-provided-UK-physicians-conclude/page/2274572/.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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