UK surveys on access to New-Fill for facial lipoatrophy

1 October 2023. Related: Side effects, Lipodystrophy and metabolic complications.

NOTE: Thank you to everyone who responded. The survey is now closed but the results will be reported in early 2024, together with the linked BHIVA survey in health workers.

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

New-Fill has been available and commissioned from the NHS for over 15 years as a way to correct for facial fat loss caused by early HIV drugs, principally stavudine (d4T) and zidovudine (AZT).

It is an injectable non-permanent filler that works by generating new collagen growth rather than being used as a traditional filler. The higher volumes used to correct HIV-related lipoatrophy require specialist services.

Some clinics already have either an in-house service or a commissioned referral route to a local clinic. However, access to New-Fill still seems to vary by hospital and region. These services were put on-hold due to COVID-19 which has reduced the number of people who can be treated.

Community survey

A pilot project is looking to map current access to services to help understand the demand for New-Fill in order to support more stable and equitable access.

Hopefully showing a continued unmet need, we can keep proper funding and commissioning support to make sure services are stable for the future.

There are two short surveys – one for community and one for health professionals.

Both surveys will end on 30 November 2023.

Community survey via the UK-CAB.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LWVRK35