Use of HIV-preventive PrEP pill increases 500%

Use of a daily pill to prevent HIV increased nearly 500 percent from 2014-17, according to research published by the CDC and reported by CNN.

Advertisement

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, has been shown to be 90 percent effective against HIV, and the CDC’s report shows nearly all demographic groups increased their use of the pill.

To conduct the study, researchers surveyed over 4,000 HIV-negative men in 20 urban areas who reported having sex with men. While just 6 percent said they took the pill in 2014, 35 percent did in 2017. Awareness of the drug also increased from 60 to 90 percent.

The report found racial disparities in who took the pill, however. Forty-two percent of white men took the pill compared with 26 percent of black men, who already have a higher risk for HIV infection. The researchers blamed “structural barriers” due to race for the gap and recommended increased efforts to provide the drug to minorities.

More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
Viewpoint: Antibiotic resistance should not make us feel helpless
Trends in nurse leaders’ salary and compensation: 5 report findings
Florida practice contacts police after mom films daughter licking medical supplies

Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit

Advertisement

Next Up in Clinical Leadership & Infection Control

Advertisement

Comments are closed.