NHS confirms it will not fund PrEP HIV treatment

NHS England has reiterated that it will not fund Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment, which is used to stop the viral transmission of HIV.

It was first confirmed on 21 March that PrEP would not be funded by the NHS on the grounds that local authorities are the responsible commissioner for HIV prevention services, as set out in the Local Authorities Regulations 2013.

Facing pressure from stakeholder groups, NHS England’s Specialised Services Commissioning Committee agreed to reconsider the decision.

It was concluded that NHS England did not have the legal power to commission PrEP, but that it would remain committed to working with other commissioners to explore the possible provision of PrEP.

In response to the decision, Izzi Seccombe, community wellbeing spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: "This is hugely disappointing and a missed opportunity to launch a ground-breaking method of treatment which could halt the spread of HIV and potentially save lives.

"Councils have invested millions in providing sexual health services since taking over responsibility for public health three years ago, and the PrEP treatment could help reduce levels of HIV in the community.

"During the transition period to the implementation of the NHS and Care Act 2010, NHS England sought to retain commissioning of HIV therapeutics, which the PrEP treatment clearly falls into. It is, and should remain, an NHS responsibility unless it is fully funded for local authorities to pass on.”