Legal threat causes NHS England to rethink PrEP access to prevent HIV
19 April 2016. Related: Activism, General.
Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
Optimistic news suggests that UK access to PrEP may still be considerd in June, following a threat of legal action against NHS England for their decision terminate public discussion on a stakeholder report that had recommended approval.
On 19 April 2016, the National AIDS Trust issued a press release outlining that the treat of legal action has already has already resulted in NHS England reversing their recent change of policy. [1]
Of note, the legal challenge demands clarification for the proposal that NHS England would fund a small evaluation project that would provide PrEP to around 500 people. [2]
This is clearly nonsense given that the Medical Research Council (MRC) had already supported, planned and run such a study – called PROUD – that reported high effectiveness in October 2014 – more than 18 months ago. [3]
A community petition for this to be raised in Parliament includes more than 12,000 signatures – but more are still needed. [4]
For full details see the NAT press statement and details correspondence outlining the case against NHS England.
References
- NAT press release. The NHS will now consider putting PrEP back into the NHS decision-making process following the threat of legal action from the National AIDS Trust (NAT). (19 April 2016).
http://www.nat.org.uk/Media-and-Blog/Press-Releases/2016/April/NHS_will_reconsider_PrEP_decision.aspx - NAT letter to NHS England. (12 April 2016).
http://www.nat.org.uk/media/Files/Policy/2016/NAT_to_NHS_England.pdf - UK PROUD study to provide PrEP to all participants earlier than expected: planned follow-up to continue to two years. HTB November/December 2014.
https://i-base.info/htb/27593 - Sign-on for PrEP to be raised in Parliament (23 March 2016).
https://i-base.info/sign-on-for-prep-to-be-raised-in-parliament
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