New HIV Prevention Injection Set for Rollout in Northern Ireland
BELFAST – A long-acting injectable medication for HIV prevention is poised to become available in Northern Ireland,offering a new option for those at risk and bolstering efforts to end new HIV transmissions by 2030. Final guidance on administering the drug has been issued to the Department of Health (DoH) by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), with the department now formally endorsing the recommendations to allow eligible patients access to the treatment.
The injection represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention, especially for individuals who struggle with or cannot take daily preventative medication. Currently, the timeline for when the injections will be available remains unclear, but the move has been welcomed by HIV charities and advocates across Northern Ireland.
Scott Cuthbertson of the Rainbow Project emphasized the importance of the new preventative measure, stating, “For those who can’t take or struggle with current HIV prevention methods, it adds a further option in the growing arsenal of preventative medication.” Experts believe wider access to this injection will be crucial in achieving the UK-wide goal of eliminating new HIV cases by 2030. Cuthbertson added, “Providing more accessible options for HIV prevention brings us one step closer to that goal, but more work must be done.”
Jacquie Richardson, CEO of Positive Life, described the news as “very welcome,” highlighting the potential to empower individuals to proactively manage their sexual health. “This new injection will make seeking and taking the drug much more straightforward,” she said. However, Richardson also stressed the need for increased focus and funding for HIV prevention efforts within Northern Ireland, advocating for “a focused and adequately funded effort” to maximize the impact of this and other preventative measures.
The DoH confirmed it “has now begun the process of formally endorsing the NICE guidance so that eligible patients in Northern Ireland may receive this treatment.”
