ENGLAND: Court Orders NHS To Provide Truvada

But it’s not a complete win. Reuters reports:

A high court judge ruled on Tuesday that an HIV pill to prevent infection can be funded by the state health service in England, in a victory for AIDS campaigners who have been calling for its widespread use.

So-called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV, using Gilead Sciences’ medicine Truvada, can cut the risk of getting the virus during sex by more than 90 percent, according to clinical studies.

But NHS (National Health Service) England had argued it was not in a position to fund the medicine because PrEP was a preventative service and therefore the responsibility of local authorities.

The high court in London, however, ruled there was nothing to stop NHS England paying for the drug, which was recommended for preventative use by the European Medicines Agency last month.

NHS England says it will appeal and that even if it loses again, the availability of Truvada will be weighed against other preventive programs. Note that the court’s ruling doesn’t apply to the entire UK. (Tipped by JMG reader Sam)