The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7396 p432
15 April 2006

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Post-exposure prophylaxis should be offered to prevent HIV transmission, says CMO

Providing emergency anti-retroviral treatment to prevent HIV transmission after non-occupational exposure to the virus should be offered as part of sexual health services, Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer, says in a letter sent to all primary care trusts and strategic health authorities in England.

“Provision of post-exposure prophylaxis for non-occupational exposure is not a replacement for evidence-based HIV health promotion, but it can have a contribution to make in preventing transmission of HIV,” he writes.

Sir Liam points out that post-exposure prophylaxis is an emergency treatment. “To be effective in preventing HIV it must be prescribed as soon as possible after potential exposure to the virus. After 72 hours it is unlikely to be effective.”