PrEP: Preventative HIV drug highly effective, study says

A new study reveals that a drug which stops HIV from infecting the body has also proved to be a highly effective “real-world” preventative treatment. 

The research took place across England, with 24,000 people studied. The results have been described as “reassuring.” 

Thousands of people are already taking the drug PrEP through sexual health clinics. 

HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust wants easier access to the drug, since many people, including women, do not know it exists.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which led the PrEP Impact Trial with the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said it was the largest ever real-world study of its kind.

The study found use of PrEP, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis. reduced the chances of getting HIV by 86%. Clinical trials suggested it was 99% effective.