NHS can offer 'game-changing' HIV drug, court says
High Court rules health authority can fund Prep treatment proven to cut risk of infection by more than 90 per cent
The High Court in London has ruled that NHS England can fund a "game-changing" drug that prevents HIV.
The health authority had argued that because the drug was preventative, it was up to local authorities to provide it.
However, Mr Justice Green said there was nothing stopping the NHS from paying for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) drug.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The one-a-day drug has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection by more than 90 per cent and has been called a "game-changer" by campaigners. "The idea," reports the BBC, "is to give it to uninfected men who are having unprotected sex with other men."
Today's ruling followed a legal challenge to NHS England's decision by the National Aids Trust charity, which argued the health body has the legal power to commission the drug, says The Guardian.
One argument in favour of Prep is that although expensive, it is cheaper than the costs involved in treating HIV. "It is economically viable for large-scale healthcare providers compared to the cost of treating a higher number of HIV infections," says Pink News.Harry Dodd, one of 500 gay men in England taking Prep in a trial, told the BBC: "To be able to have sex without having that fear hanging over you all the time is huge."
Gay lifestyle magazine Attitude has been highly critical of the decision by NHS England. "In what has become a recurring theme, authorities have once again met the opportunity to tackle rising HIV transmission rates with complacency and disregard," it said in an opinion piece earlier this year.
"The government and its health authorities have systematically chosen to address the [HIV] epidemic with inertia and silence."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published
-
Anti-Semitism in America: a case of double standards?
Speed Read Officials were strikingly reluctant to link Texas synagogue attack to anti-Semitism
By The Week Staff Published