Not PrEPared to wait any longer: advocating for the use of PrEP in a HIV prevention strategy

Abstract

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a protective measure in the form of a pill (Brand name Truvuda), taken to reduce the chance of contracting HIV sexually. WHO guidelines currently recommend that oral PrEP should be offered as an additional prevention choice for people at substantial risk of HIV infection, as part of combination HIV prevention approaches. This paper advocates for the use of PrEP in clinical practice in a UK setting to reduce transmission rates amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). I discuss the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of treatment and some of the potential parallel benefits and costs of treatment, as well as some of the cost implications for a health system. I argue that we should move beyond current HIV strategies offered to MSM and that PrEP should be available in the framework of a HIV prevention strategy.