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10/04/2017

NHS Scotland To Fund Prep HIV Drug

A drug, which is said to dramatically reduce the chances of being infected with HIV, is to be made available on the NHS in Scotland.

Known as PrEP, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) announced in a statement that it has agreed to approve the treatment.

Scientists have found that a daily dose of the drug can protect people at risk of contracting the virus.

The announcement today means that Scotland is the first place in the UK to routinely offer PrEP to eligible patients.

The anti-retroviral drug is already licensed for use by people diagnosed with HIV in Scotland. However, the SMC's decision relates to its use on a preventative basis by people who do not have the virus.

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The drug has the brand name Truvada and was one of five new treatments to be accepted for use in NHS Scotland.

In its statement, the organisation said: "Emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil (Truvada) was accepted to help prevent sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection in adults who are at high risk of being infected ('pre-exposure prophylaxis' [PrEP]).

"Emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil given as PrEP is one aspect of an HIV-prevention strategy and should be used in combination with safer sex practices such as using condoms.

"Patient groups highlighted that current prevention methods have not managed to reduce the spread of HIV in Scotland over the last ten years."

Dr Alan MacDonald, Chairman of the SMC, added: "Emtricitabine / tenofovir disproxil PrEP, when used together with safer sex practices may help to reduce the spread of HIV, which is an ongoing priority for the Scottish Government."

The decision on PrEP has been welcomed by a number of charities.

(JP)

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"A drug, which is said to dramatically reduce the chances of being infected with HIV, is to be made available on the NHS in Scotland."