The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Wales has welcomed proposals from the Welsh government to increase access to PrEP via community pharmacies for people at
risk of HIV.
The new HIV Action Plan for Wales consultation proposes a shared care model between primary care and specialist sexual health services to improve access to PrEP.
Commenting on the proposal, chair of RPS in Wales Cheryl Way said: "Increasing access to the medicines has been a long-standing issue of concern for us at RPS and
we're therefore delighted to see the proposals outlined by the Welsh government to develop a model which will enable PrEP to be provided by community pharmacies
across Wales.
"PrEP are highly effective medicines, that reduce the chances of getting HIV, as proven by the Welsh Government's three year PrEPARED study which found no new
diagnoses of HIV among over 1,200 people taking PrEP in Wales. This is clear evidence that PrEP should be made as easily accessible as possible to those who need it.
In its first, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to treat people at the
highest risk of catching HIV.
The announcement comes along with a consultation on draft guideline by NICE on reducing sexually transmitted infections.
NICE's recommendation is backed up by the government's HIV Action Plan to hit zero new transmissions of HIV by 2030.
The pill prevents HIV by stopping the virus from crossing into the healthy cells and replicating.
According to the UK PROUD study, PrEP reduced the risk of HIV infection by 86 per cent for men who have sex with men.
However, people taking the pill must also get regular HIV testing and STI screening done every three months.
Are you feeling overwhelmed about the MCAT? You're not alone! The MCAT is a challenging test that can feel daunting for even the best students. But don't worry,
this article is here to help. This blog post will discuss six clever strategies that will help you pass the MCAT successfully. Follow these tips and you'll be on
your way to achieving your dream score.
ENROLL IN A PREP COURSE
One of the first things you should do when PREParing for the MCAT is to enroll in a PREP course. Keep in mind that the right MCAT PREP course will provide you with
the resources and support you need to succeed. Additionally, it can help to take practice tests under simulated testing conditions. This will help you get used to
the format of the test and reduce your anxiety on test day. In choosing a PREP course, make sure to pick one that is reputable and has a good track record. You
should also make sure that the course is affordable and offers a schedule that fits your needs. If possible, you can also take practice tests that are offered by
the course. This way, you can get an idea of the type of questions that will be on the test.
JOIN A STUDY GROUP
Many people find that studying in a group is more effective than studying alone. When you join a study group, you'll have the opportunity to discuss difficult
concepts with your peers. Additionally, you'll be able to hold each other accountable and stay on track with your studies. If you're not sure where to find a
study group, ask your friends or classmates if they're interested in forming one. You can also check online forums or look for groups that have already been
established.
Ahead of World AIDS Day this Wednesday, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has urged the government to widen access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by making it available through community pharmacies. It argues that such a move could drive down rates of HIV infection across Great Britain.
Currently, the medicine - which offers almost total protection from HIV when taken as recommended prior to sex or injecting drugs - is available free of charge only through sexual health clinics.
Calling on the government to engage with community pharmacies to improve public health, RPS president Claire Anderson said: "There is a clear opportunity to drive down rates of HIV infection by expanding provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to community pharmacies and GP practices as part of the government's HIV Action Plan.
In a significant leap forward in the fight against HIV, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given the green light to two
groundbreaking formulations of cabotegravir.
Apretude 30 mg film-coated tablets and Apretude 600 mg prolonged-release suspension for injection are now authorized for preventing sexually transmitted HIV-1
infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg at increased risk.
This approval marks a pivotal moment in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) prevention, offering an alternative to existing standard pre-exposure prophylaxis or
PrEP treatments.
HIV, a virus notorious for compromising the immune system, has long been a global health concern.
Cabotegravir, a member of the integrase inhibitor group, works by blocking a key enzyme necessary for the replication of HIV-1, thereby reducing the virus's
ability to spread.