UK health ministers have almost doubled funding for national PrEP roll-out, with £23.4 m being ring-fenced to cover the costs of the HIV prevention drug for 2021 and 2022. This is an increase of £12.4 m from last year. Minister for prevention, public health and primary care, Jo Churchill, announced the decision in a statement which reads: “We know the significant impact PrEP plays in reducing HIV transmission, as part of a combination of preventative interventions.”
Churchill said the increased funding is part of the government’s plan to ensure no new HIV transmissions by the end of this decade: “This is particularly welcome for individuals and allows increased access despite the demands on services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. This funding will benefit tens of thousands of people and take us closer to our commitment of zero new HIV transmissions in England by 2030.”
Richard Angell, head of policy at the Terrence Higgins Trust, praised the funding boost, saying in a press release: “As lockdown 3.0 comes to an end and many more people starting to have sex – or more sex – again, we absolutely welcome what looks like a significant and important uplift in funding for the delivery of PrEP over the next year.” He described it as “an important move” from the government and hopes it will provide “peace of mind for current PrEP users knowing their access will continue.”
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