Preventx launches England’s first fully digital HIV PrEP service

7th August 2024 by Kate Ebbutt

For the first time, HIV PrEP users will be able to access necessary tests and preventative medication for HIV without having to make an in-person visit to clinics.

This pilot is funded by East Sussex County Council, and delivered by remote diagnostic provider Preventx, in partnership with not-for-profit community interest company The Love Tank CIC, and Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor.

Those wishing to access the new service will complete an online triage through SH.UK. This is followed by a preliminary telephone call with a clinician. If suitable they will be sent an at-home sampling kit, allowing them to undertake necessary tests for HIV, hepatitis B and C. If the HIV test comes back negative, the user will then be sent a renal function test along with a one-month prescription of HIV PrEP. If this renal test is within a normal range, they will be offered up to a six-month prescription for HIV PrEP. Users will then be able to order repeat prescriptions online, which will be posted to them.

Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health for East Sussex said “We are delighted to be working with Preventx to make it even easier for residents to access the HIV PrEP pill which, if taken properly, is nearly 100 per cent effective against contracting HIV. People’s work lifestyles, caring responsibilities and stigma can be a real barrier to using traditional face to face health services to access HIV PrEP. By offering HIV PrEP online, we hope to make it easier for those people unable to access the face-to-face service to avoid getting HIV.”

“From taking the online assessment, residents can be taken through all the relevant tests and health checks and receive the HIV PrEP medication within around two weeks, if the treatment is deemed appropriate for them.

“There is currently nothing like this available in England. We are excited to see the results of the pilot and how this innovative model can be used by others nationally and internationally to help achieve the aim set out in the England HIV action plan to end HIV transmission occurring in England by 2030.”

The service is linked into East Sussex’s Online Postal Self Sampling Service for STIs and where indicated, additional support is provided by local clinic teams. Support for users is available to ensure safe and effective HIV PrEP access.

When taken correctly, HIV PrEP, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, is almost 100% effective. HIV PrEP comes as tablets usually taken daily before and after sex. HIV PrEP is recommended by the NHS for those more likely to be involved in behaviours that increase the risk of HIV transmission.

“Improving access to HIV PrEP is a vital step towards ending transmissions of HIV in England.” said Dr Vanessa Apea, NHS Sexual Health Consultant and Medical Director at Preventx, “For some people, cultural taboos and stigmas, or time-consuming journeys to clinics, prevent them from accessing HIV PrEP, and put the UK’s 2030 goal at risk.

“Offering people a choice of ways to access HIV PrEP is really important, and we are proud to launch this new service for the people of East Sussex. We hope it will support the vital work happening in clinics and give users a safe and convenient new way to manage their health and access HIV PrEP.”

HIV PrEP is a key part of NHS England’s HIV prevention strategy and is available by prescription from a health professional at NHS sexual health clinics. However, research has highlighted barriers to access, with 58% of clinicians having concerns about missed opportunities for HIV PrEP initiation. Worryingly, previous research has also shown that more than half (57%) of those who indicated being placed on a HIV PrEP waiting list had waited more than 12 weeks.

In a new survey, more than half of HIV PrEP users (57%) reported they would prefer to have their medication posted to them than collect in-person (43%).

While anyone can face difficulty accessing HIV PrEP, for a number of reasons, previous research from The Love Tank CIC has highlighted barriers to access to HIV PrEP for gay and bisexual men. This includes stigma, difficulty accessing appointments and hard to navigate pathways.

Talking about the need for greater access, Dr Will Nutland of PrEPster at The Love Tank said “We’ve known since the introduction of HIV PrEP in the UK that the settings where HIV PrEP is available need to increase. Adding a fully digital service to the options available expands the choices for those of us who use HIV PrEP and will assist those who are unable to access clinics.”

By allowing people to undertake all necessary tests and receive medication at home, it is hoped the service will improve equity of access.

This project aligns with the government’s ambition to end new transmissions of HIV in England by 2030. Results from the East Sussex pilot project will be shared to help support commissioners and providers widen access to HIV PrEP.

The latest data from the UK Security Health Agency reveals approximately 94,397 people were living with diagnosed HIV and accessing care in England in 2022. The number of HIV diagnoses first made in England rose by 6%, from 2,313 in 2021 to 2,444 in 2022.

Antonio Colliani, 41, has been a regular HIV PrEP user for 10 years. Antonio said:
“I’ve been a regular HIV PrEP user for 10 years, alternating between every-day and event-based use. An online service would be invaluable, as it would reduce the time I spend going to the local sexual health clinic, and therefore improve waiting times of patients who actually need assistance. At a time when the NHS is stretched so thin, and we’re even able to take our own samples for regular sexual health screenings at home, it seems like a no-brainer.”