In what has been called a severe blow to HIV prevention, England is experiencing some delays in providing access to a very important, long-acting HIV prevention drug. The drug, known as cabotegravir, is injected once every two months and thus represents another option than the pills available that are taken daily. This new treatment has been hailed as a game-changer in the fight against HIV because it reduces the onus of having to take medication frequently and thus improves adherence rates.
However, its implementation in England has met many challenges: from regulatory barriers to funding and logistical ones. All these mean the drug currently cannot be used by those most at risk of getting HIV.
Cabotegravir was approved by the MHRA earlier this year, but it has not yet been introduced into NHS HIV prevention programs. The delay has caused widespread disappointment among healthcare professionals and activists who have long called for improved methods of prevention.
The main reasons cited have been those of funding. While the drug is cost-effective in the long term, its initial investment for wide dispersion is quite high. An already financially strained NHS had struggled to make the necessary resources available to ensure the drug was available.
Logistical considerations play into the decision too: the infrastructure for administering an injectable medication every two months involves much more than what's required for daily pills. Clinics need to be equipped, and health-care providers need to be trained-both of which have contributed to the delay.
Advocates for HIV prevention say that is unacceptable. They stress the need for the immediate roll-out of cabotegravir, citing its potential to significantly reduce new HIV infections. Besides, they say, each day that passes means more risk for those it can help.
These delays have already prompted several organizations to call for immediate action. They urge the government and the NHS toward better prioritization of the introduction of cabotegravir, citing long-term benefits with considerable cost savings derived from its use.
The cabotegravir delay in England reminds one that there are still greater ills to be overcome in public health. As medicine finds more and more ways to fight ailments, the path from approval to availability is often tortuous. Every step forward for those most vulnerable to HIV heralds hope, while every delay seems to write the imperative for systemic change in bold relief.
#HIV #HIVPrevention #Cabotegravir #NHS #Healthcare #PublicHealth #MedicalAdvancements #HealthNews #England
Author: John Miller
