CDC calls for increased PrEP awareness for high-risk patients

ATLANTA, Ga. — New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the organization urging providers to education themselves about the potential of pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs (PrEP) that can significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV. 

 

Though the once-daily pill —which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2013 and marketed as Truvada (tenofovir/embtricitabine) — can reduce risk of HIV transmission through sexual contact by 90% and the risk among injected drug users by 70%, new information shows that one-in-three primary care doctors and nurses haven’t heard of PrEP.

 

“PrEP isn’t reaching many people who could benefit from it, and many providers remain unaware of its promise,” CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden said. “With about 40,000 HIV infections newly diagnosed each year in the U.S., we need to use all available prevention strategies.”

 

The CDC notes that one-in-four men who have sex with men — a population that made up 78% of new infections in 2010 — as well as one-in-five people who inject drugs and one-in-200 heterosexuals are at high risk for HIV infection and should be counseled on the benefits of PrEP. A recent study of high-risk individuals documented PrEP’s efficacy, but also noted a rising incidence of sexually transmitted infections. 

 

A CDC Vital Signs analysis suggests that focused efforts can increase awareness of PrEP, citing a New York State health department report showing that the number of PrEP prescriptions filled by people covered by Medicaid went from 303 between July 2013 and June 2014 to 1,330 in the same period between 2014 and 2015. 

 

“PrEP has the potential to dramatically reduce new HIV infections in the nation,” said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. “However, PrEP only works if patients know about it, have access to it, and take it as prescribed.”

 

Prevention, alongside widespread HIV testing and early treatment, support for people with HIV to remain engaged in care and universal viral suppression are the four areas of focus for the CDC in combating HIV. 

 

“Today’s prevention landscape is complex and with the wide range of strategies now available, no single tool addresses every prevention need. Reducing the toll of HIV in this nation will require matching the right tools to the right people,” said Dr. Eugene McCray, director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. “PrEP can benefit many who have high risk. Other risk reduction strategies, such as condoms and access to sterile injection equipment, also offer substantial protection when used consistently and correctly.”