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Aids charity to take fight over Prep drug to court NHS watchdog to weigh cost of HIV prevention drug Prep
(about 2 hours later)
Campaigners have said they will seek a judicial review of NHS England's decision not to commission a preventative HIV treatment. The NHS watchdog NICE has been asked by government to look at the cost of providing an HIV prevention drug known as Prep.
The National Aids Trust (NAT) said the treatment called Prep can reduce the risk of HIV infection by more than 90%. It comes as campaigners have said they will seek a judicial review of NHS England's decision not to commission the treatment.
NHS England said it had repeatedly looked at the issue and will not fund it, although the NAT says the drug is "potentially revolutionary". Prep is a daily pill that cut the risk of HIV infection by more than 90%.
The responsibility lies with local authorities, according to the NHS. Head of NHS England Simon Stevens says more evidence is needed about the cost versus benefits.
The NAT says it will take NHS England to court unless changes its mind. Speaking to the Health Committee he said: "Prep has great potential and all of us would like to see it more widely available in this country."
Prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily pill that can considerably lower a person's chances of catching HIV. He said the legal issue about who should provide the treatment - NHS England or local authorities which are responsible for prevention-related services - would be resolved, but the other question was whether it was cost-effective to roll it out as a preventive treatment.
If taken correctly, it is almost entirely effective in preventing HIV. "This particular drug is not yet licensed for prophylactic treatment for HIV.
NHS England has promised £2m in funding to treat about 500 people with Prep over the next two years. "Frankly, the prices that the manufacturer is seeking to charge probably also need to take a substantial haircut to represent value."
But after considering representations from stakeholders, it concluded that it was not the body responsible for offering the drug. It's not publicly known how much the manufacturer of the Prep drug Truvada is asking for, and drug companies often reach an agreement to offer the NHS a reduced price. The book cost for 30 tablets is £355.
According to NHS England, local authorities are the "responsible commissioner" for HIV prevention services. As part of a trial, NHS England has promised £2m in funding to treat about 500 people with Prep over the next two years.
In a letter published in the British Medical Journal, NAT chief executive Deborah Gold said: "Faced with this impasse, NAT has no choice but to take the matter before a court for judicial review."
Are you on a course of HIV PREP treatment? What difference has taking the drug made to you?Are you on a course of HIV PREP treatment? What difference has taking the drug made to you?
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