HIV breakthrough: Injectable PrEP more effective in women than pill
An HIV drug study has shown a long-acting injection is more effective than the current daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pill to prevent HIV in women.
Researchers from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) made the announcement on Tuesday.
Data shows the once every eight-week injection was 89% more effective than the daily PrEP pill used for HIV prevention.
Professor Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, a research professor at the University of the Witwatersrand who led the trial, described it as a milestone for HIV prevention.
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"These results are a milestone for the prevention of HIV among women at risk of HIV worldwide and especially for women in sub-Saharan Africa.
"If we are to turn the tide on the HIV epidemic, we will need prevention options that work for women.
"These findings provide great hope and motivation for additional studies to show safety and acceptability in adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women.”
Delany-Moretlwe said the cost of the PreP injection has not yet been determined
She, however, said the company in charge of making the injection has emphasised easy access to the drug.
"But what they have articulated in multiple forums is their commitment to access particularly to low to middle-income countries in the region where HIV is prevalent.”
