The HIV Prep Pill will become free

Introduction

Aifa is close to an agreement with pharmaceutical companies to place the anti-PrEP pill on the market Hiv completely free. It is a pill that prevents contagion in the event of sexual intercourse with an HIV-positive person that could also become free in Italy. The Cpr of Aifa, i.e. iThe Medicines Agency’s Price and Reimbursement Committee has on its agenda the free use of the drug for pre-exposure prophylaxis, therefore the pill based on emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil.

• PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis (i.e. prevention).
• hinders the reproduction of the HIV virus
• protects from contagion.
• taken for preventive purposes in case of sexual intercourse without a condom or in situations with a high potential for contagion such as sharing syringes
• it is an antiretroviral tablet
• it has no particular side effects
• it only protects against HIV, and not against other sexually transmitted diseases
• it can be purchased in pharmacies with a prescription from an infectious disease specialist
• PrEP could become free thanks to the agreement between Aifa and manufacturers (the patent has now expired).

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis (i.e. prevention). It is a pill that hinders the reproduction of HIV virus in the body, and therefore protects from contagion. When is it taken? Before and after a relationship at risk of HIV, such as for example sexual intercourse without a condom, but also situations with a high potential for contagion such as above all the sharing of syringes used to inject substances. PrEP is a medicine that is given to people who do not have HIV (sieronegative), but in subjects not to get HIV and not become HIV-positive (or HIV positive).

PrEP consists of two active ingredients – tenofovir DF and emtricitabine. The tablet is called Truvada® and is manufactured by Gilead Sciences. In Italy it is on sale in pharmacies with a prescription from an infectious disease specialist. Today the drug for pre-exposure prophylaxis to HIV, PrEP, must be taken daily (limited to a period) and has a cost that is around 60/70 euros per month. The drug is currently not covered by the National Health System. I have to follow prophylaxis persone Hiv-negativewho are however exposed (or have been) at risk of contracting the virus.

What is PEP?

PrEP should not be confused with PEP or post-exposure prophylaxis, i.e. the therapeutic treatment consisting of three different HIV medications, to be taken within 48 hours of an episode at risk of infection to avoid contracting the virus. If it is believed that one has exposed oneself/exposed to an HIV-risk relationship, be it unprotected sexual intercourse or the passage of a syringe, within 2 days it is possible to carry out the therapy which allows to avoid contagion.

PrEP is a preventive drug. In contrast, PEP is an emergency drug. To access post-exposure prophylaxis, therefore PEP, it is necessary to go to the emergency room of a hospital that has an infectious disease department (only infectious disease departments practice it), and declare that you are at risk of HIV. An infectious disease specialist will take charge of the single situation, assessing the actual risk. The PEP must be taken for 28 days, at the end of which a confirmatory HIV test.