Key Points
- Havering Council joins a pilot programme to widen access to HIV prevention medication, primarily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
- PrEP, when taken correctly, can reduce the risk of contracting HIV from sex by 99%.
- The pilot involves North East London boroughs including Havering, Barking and Dagenham, City of London, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest.
- Elton John AIDS Foundation, Fast-Track Cities, Gilead Sciences, and ViiV Healthcare invest over £1 million in two UK pilot programmes.
- The initiative aims to push London toward zero new HIV cases by 2030.
- The pilot focuses on increasing access routes including digital services, postal kits, and GP/community-based PrEP clinics.
- A key aspect is reducing the stigma around HIV and PrEP, supported through community outreach and inclusivity training.
- Additional target: Support an extra 3,000 people in North East London to access PrEP over 18 months.
- Anne Aslett, CEO of Elton John AIDS Foundation, emphasises the cost-effectiveness and life-saving potential of HIV prevention.
- HIV rates in North East London remain among the highest in the UK.
- Similar global advances include WHO endorsement of long-acting injectable medication lenacapavir for HIV prevention, aiming for broad equitable access worldwide.
What Is the New HIV Prevention Medication Access Pilot in Havering?
As reported by Havering Council’s official news release, Havering is part of a newly launched pilot programme designed to make HIV prevention medicines, specifically pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), more accessible to residents. This pilot programme spans across North East London boroughs, including Havering, Barking and Dagenham, City of London, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest.
PrEP, when used consistently, can reduce the risk of HIV transmission through sex by up to 99%. The significance of expanding access to PrEP lies in this high effectiveness, making it a crucial tool in HIV prevention strategies.
Who Is Funding and Supporting This Pilot Programme?
The pilot is financially supported by a coalition of organisations, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Fast-Track Cities, Gilead Sciences, and ViiV Healthcare, which together have invested over £1 million into two pilot programmes—one across North East London and another across three UK cities.
Anne Aslett, CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, commented on the programme’s anticipated impact: “The Foundation has proven experience of designing and funding successful pilots that go on to achieve impact at scale… these pilots will show that investing in prevention is not only life-saving but also cost-effective, reducing the long-term burden on the NHS by averting new HIV infections before they occur.” She further stressed the importance of the UK government’s forthcoming HIV Action Plan prioritising PrEP access, testing, and high-quality care.
How Will the Pilot Programme Work and What Are the Goals?
The pilot programme aims to increase convenience and accessibility by diversifying the ways people can obtain PrEP. Innovative methods include online assessments via digital services, postal kits, and the establishment of PrEP clinics within GP practices and community settings. The pilot places a strong emphasis on community outreach and inclusivity training to combat stigma and promote awareness around HIV and PrEP.
Cllr Gillian Ford, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “PrEP is a powerful tool in the drive to end HIV transmission, but we know that some of those who are at higher risk of contracting HIV are still not accessing this vital preventative treatment… By pairing targeted community outreach and engagement efforts with new ways to access PrEP, the Elton John AIDS Foundation will support efforts to tackle HIV stigma, increase awareness of PrEP, and ultimately mean that more Havering residents can benefit from this medication”.
Why Is This Pilot Program Critical for North East London?
Rates of HIV in North East London remain among the highest in the country, making the expansion of PrEP access especially urgent. The pilot programme seeks to support an additional 3,000 people in the area to access PrEP over the next 18 months. This target reflects the need for large-scale preventative measures to reduce HIV transmission and move towards the goal of zero new HIV cases by 2030 [Havering Council].
What Are the Global and National Contexts for HIV Prevention Innovations?
Recent developments on the global HIV prevention front include groundbreaking advancements such as WHO’s new guidelines endorsing the long-acting injectable medication lenacapavir for HIV prevention. This medication offers the promise of protection with only twice-yearly injections.
Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, explained: “What we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities.” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted lenacapavir as “the next best thing” to an HIV vaccine, potentially preventing almost all HIV infections among those at risk.
UNAIDS welcomed a US government initiative supporting expansion of lenacapavir, underscoring that HIV prevention investment produces long-term savings, estimating that each US$1 invested saves US$7 in future treatment and care costs.
What Are Experts Saying About the Importance of Expanding Access to HIV Prevention?
Yvette Raphael, Executive Director of Advocates for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS, warned that “long-acting HIV prevention and treatment can transform lives only if people can actually get them… We need clear plans and real funding to make sure these drugs are affordable, available in our clinics, and trusted by our communities.”
The expansion of access to PrEP and innovations like long-acting medications reflect a critical moment in the global fight against HIV, where scientific breakthroughs must be matched by equitable access and community engagement to realize their full potential.
What Are the Expected Benefits for the Local Community and NHS?
By easing access routes and promoting awareness while tackling stigma, the pilot is expected to relieve pressures on sexual health clinics and reduce new HIV infections. The economic benefits are clear according to Anne Aslett: prevention reduces the long-term treatment burden on the NHS, saving resources and lives simultaneously.
How Does the Pilot Fit Into the UK’s HIV Action Plan?
The UK government’s HIV Action Plan, aimed at achieving an 80% reduction in new HIV infections by 2025, aligns closely with the goals of this pilot programme. Prioritising PrEP access, testing, and high-quality care are central components of this plan. The pilot’s community-based and technology-driven delivery methods are practical steps towards these targets.
