Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis drug (PrEP) – A drug that stops HIV from infecting the body has been proved to be 99% highly effective.

 This is according to a research done by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which is said to be the largest ever real-world study of its kind.

The study found that the use of Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis drug (PrEP) reduces the chances of getting HIV by around 86% when used in everyday life taking into account inconsistent or incorrect use.

If used correctly as advised, the medication is 99% effective

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“This trial has further demonstrated the effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV transmissions and has, for the first time, shown the protective effect reported by earlier trial, but at scale, and delivered through routine sexual health services in England.”  Dr John Saunders a consultant in sexual health who worked on the study told BBC.

The research has been described as reassuring and has stated that thousands of people have already started taking PrEP through sexual health clinics.   

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The Terrence Higgins Trust HIV charity however, has noted  that there was more to be done in raising awareness of the drug because, many communities that could benefit from it had little to zero knowledge about it.

“We think that there are certain communities and individuals at the moment who could benefit from PrEP but aren’t accessing it. Many women just don’t know PrEP exists,”. Debbie Laycock , head of policy in the Terrence Higgins charity said.

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She added that the charity was calling for PrEP to be made available in pharmacies and online to widen access to it.