Campaign launches to tackle "unequal access" to PrEP for gay and bi men

A campaign has been launched to raise awareness of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a pill which can be taken by HIV-negative people to prevent them from acquiring HIV.

The campaign is run by the HIV Prevention England programme, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and delivered by HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust and local activation partners.

The campaign, PrEP Protects, will be promoted across England through online ads and in-person events over the summer months.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency showed that 36% of gay and bi men under 25 who could benefit from PrEP were not taking it, compared to just 24% for those aged 25 to 34. Black gay and bi men were also less likely than their white peers to be using PrEP.

By raising awareness of the benefits of PrEP, how to get PrEP and the different options for taking it, the campaign aims to help narrow inequalities in access to PrEP.

Last week, medical guidance on PrEP prescription was updated. PrEP should now be prescribed to anyone who requests it, and people do not need to disclose specific behaviours to access PrEP.

PrEP became routinely available on the NHS in 2020/21. However, uptake amongst groups who could most benefit from PrEP has been uneven. The UK Government has set a goal to end new HIV transmissions in England by 2030. Improving equity and access to PrEP will be considered in the upcoming HIV Action Plan which will be published this year.

People can find out more about PrEP at startswithme.org.uk, the NHS website or via their local sexual health clinic.

Darren Shoneye, a teacher from London who takes PrEP, said: “Taking PrEP was a massive gamechanger for me. I wasn’t sure it was for me and whether I was sexually active enough, but the more I read about it, the more I realised it was. I was living in fear of breaking condoms, but now I can just enjoy sex without any of those worries.”

Professor Kevin Fenton, the government's chief advisor on HIV, said: “Ensuring people have the knowledge to take control of their sexual health is central to our mission. This campaign supports communities to do just that- by improving awareness, access and trust in one of the most effective tools we have to prevent HIV."

Takudzwa Mukiwa, Head of HIV Prevention at Terrence Higgins Trust said: “PrEP is an amazing tool for people to take charge of their sexual health. Knowing that by taking one pill a day, they will not acquire HIV during sex can be so empowering for people. That’s why it’s so important that everyone consider if PrEP is right for them.”