NHS England has announced funding for a major new clinical trial using PrEP as a means of preventing new HIV infections amongst high risk groups.

This step towards a full national roll out of PrEP comes after NAT (National AIDS Trust) pursued litigation in the High Court (and successfully defended its initial win in the Court of Appeal) against NHS England to clarify the role of NHS England in HIV prevention.

Evidence for the clinical effectiveness of PrEP is overwhelming. The clinical trial will aim to answer questions about how to best implement the treatment in a full nation roll-out.  It will include at least 10,000 participants over the next three years and pave the way for a full and effective roll-out.  

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust) said: “We are absolutely delighted that following our wins in Court, NHS England, working with Public Health England and local government will be now making PrEP available on a large scale, and quickly, to those who need it. 

“We continue to seek reassurance that access to PrEP will not be unduly limited by geography, that routine commissioning will continue seamlessly at the end of the trial and that all those expected to be eligible through routine commissioning will be able to access PrEP via the trial. Despite these outstanding questions, there is no doubt that this step in the right direction has the potential to have a transformative impact for thousands of people, as well as prove the decisive point in beginning to combat the HIV crisis, all whilst saving the NHS money in the long term. We are looking forward to working alongside NHS England, Public Health England and local authorities with the simple shared aim of reducing new HIV infections.”

To arrange interviews with a NAT spokesperson please contact Charlie Alderwick: charlie.alderwick@nat.org.uk or on 020 7814 6727 or 07947 725299

Notes to editors: 

About NAT

NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking, expertise and practical resources. We champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change.

Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.

www.nat.org.uk  

What is PrEP?

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) involves HIV negative people taking an antiretroviral drug to avoid getting HIV.

For more information on PrEP see: http://www.nat.org.uk/sites/default/files/Why%20is%20PrEP%20needed.pdf