On Saturday, the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) – an HIV prevention strategy that reduces the risk of infection by the use of antiretroviral drugs. The group also endorsed the use of Truvada, the pharmaceutical produced by Gilead, while making it clear that PrEP is more than just about taking a pill.
HRC writes:
HRC believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make an informed choice about their sexual health and about PrEP with an informed healthcare provider. PrEP should only be utilized in combination with other safer sex practices – including continued condom use – and patients need to stay on their medications. HRC believes that all PrEP users should be educated about their medications and the potential side effects, establish dosing routines that work for them, and work around financial or health needs that may impede adherence, as well as seek out social support.
The group is also calling on "insurers, regulators, and drug manufacturers to make PrEP available to all medically-qualified individuals, regardless of socioeconomic barriers."
Read the policy paper outlining HRC's new endorsement, AFTER THE JUMP…
The Associated Press adds:
Some doctors have been reluctant to prescribe the drug, Truvada, on the premise that it might encourage high-risk, unprotected sexual behavior. However, its preventive use has been endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and many HIV/AIDS advocacy groups. […]
The CDC says studies have shown that Truvada, when taken diligently, can reduce the risk of getting HIV by 90 percent or more. Research discussed at the International AIDS Conference in July found that use of the drug does not encourage risky sex and is effective even if people skip some doses.
Others, such as AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weistein have labeled Truvada a "party drug" and maintain it will erode condom culture.
