'Wonder drug' which can reduce HIV risk by 92% could be offered on the NHS

An HIV 'wonder drug' could be made available on the NHS, in what has been hailed as the most significant breakthrough against the virus in a generation.

A landmark trial in England is to be sped up after interim analysis of the the drug Truvada found it to be 'highly protective against HIV'.

Campaigners have urged the NHS to offer the medication – which has been approved for use in the U.S. since 2012 – to vulnerable groups as soon as possible.

 

U.S. guidelines say the tablet offers up to a 92 per cent reduction in the risk of contracting HIV - if taken every day. 

Truvada is a drug which provides 'pre-exposure prophylaxis' (PrEP).

This involves giving antiretroviral drugs - usually prescribed to treat HIV - to people who don't have the virus but are at a high risk of exposure to it.

NHS England have now set up a group looking into the viability offering Truvada on the NHS, as it is already known PrEP effectively protects against HIV.

As part of the trial, Truvada was prescribed to 407 men taking part in a study in Brighton, London, York, Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield.

 

Article Date: 
Friday, October 17, 2014