Question
Are statins included free with HIV meds in the UK?
29 May 2025. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Complications and coinfections.
Do you know if statins proscribed for HIV patients are funded by the NHS, pike the ART medication is.
I’ve had conflicting information. My HIV specialist nurse thinks they are not funded by the NHS , but various searches on the internet say they are funded hy the NHS because statins are part of the treatment plan.
Can anyone clarify the situation for me as ive just heen prescribed them and would like to know if its funded by the NHS .
Thanks very much
Answer
Hi there
Thanks – this is a good question.
The results of the REPRIEVE study a couple of years ago were very important.
They led to recommendations for wider use of statins in people living with HIV. This is now included in UK, US and other guidelines, so is technically related to HIV care.
However, although HIV meds are free on the NHS, whether of not the statin is also free might depend on where you are living and how you get your meds.
Some Trusts might include the statin free with your ART meds if you pick these up from the hospital or use a home delivery service.
Most people have the statin prescribed by the GP though.
If this is the case, then unless you are exempt from charges, you are likely to have to pay for these. These costs could be reduced by having 3 or 6 months prescriptions, rather than having to do this every month.
As prescription costs make a big difference for many people, any meds that are directly related to HIV should potentially be included with ART.
Whether of not this will happen nationally is difficult to know.
The situation might also be different depending on which country in the UK you are living.
Links:
HIV guidelines recommend a statin for all people older than 40: new BHIVA document
Hello Midesta and thanks for getting in touch.
Congratulations on your studies and expanding your horizons
You can get ARVs in the UK but you need to register with a clinic first.
I suggest coming to the country with a month supply and a letter from your clinic that will include any information about previous medication you had been on and resistance tests they might have carried out.
The clinic in the UK will register you, run tests and soon after (usually within 2 weeks) will be able to provide you with treatment.
Also bring to the UK clinic the bottles of your medication (ARVs and any other medication you might be on)
I will be travelling to UK for study by September and I am on arv, will I be able to get free arv immediately I get to uk