England's National Health Service declined PrEP for patients in 2016, but it looks like the organization is finally coming around as they've announced that the HIV-prevention drug will be available for trial in the UK to people at high risk of infection.
In the most recent update, the NHS England has approved a three-year trial in efforts to learn how to offer PrEP to the masses. For now, men who have sex with men will be eligible for the trial which could be available as early as August. That includes more than 10,000 individuals. At time of press, no exact date had been confirmed.
"NHS England and Public Health England announced in December 2016 that up to £10 million is to be made available to run a three-year trial for pre-exposure prophylaxis to answer outstanding questions about future access and implementation," Health Minister Steve Brine said.
"Work continues to ensure a robust trial starting as quickly as possible. Following the drug procurement, NHS England expects to be able to confirm the award of the final contract no later than the first week of August, meaning trial drugs could be available from early August, in readiness for the trial to begin once ethics approval is received and trial sites are prepared."
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