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New anti-HIV drug trial by the NHS

A controversial new drug, which is hoped to prevent the transmission of HIV, is due to be made available by the NHS next year.

A three-year clinical trial, involving 10,000 people, and costing £10 million will make possible a nationwide rollout of the anti-HIV drug known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The decision to go ahead with the trial comes less than 30 days after three judges made a unanimous ruling that NHS England could provide the drug. Health officials had argued that because the drug was not a treatment for a condition, but rather a preventative, the funding for it should come from local councils.

The drug, called Truvada, is made by the US firm, Gilead. It has reduced the risk of contracting HIV after an exposure by almost 90%. The pill, taken once a day, costs £11.85. Estimates show that it would cost£360,000 to provide a lifetime of treatment for a person with HIV.

Although PrEP will save money over the long term, the drug is being provided at a period when NHS England is having to make tough decisions over what treatments they are able or unable to fund, due to constraints on public health spending.

The National Aids Trust was responsible for taking this case to court. They have welcomed the ruling, stating that the drug has, “the potential to have a transformative impact for thousands of people”.

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