Equal access to HIV medication across England

Following a recent procurement exercise by NHS England, which included consultations with people living with HIV, HIV support charities and drug companies, people living with HIV will now have equal access to HIV medication no matter where they live in the country – meaning that everyone will now be able to access the same range of medications and latest treatments, including the first long lasting injectable treatment which has now started to become available at HIV clinics.

In some regions, this means that some people will now have gained access to additional treatments which were not previously available to them.

As a result of this exercise, HIV clinicians will now undertake a review of patients’ medications.

Some clinicians have already started these reviews with their patients. These discussions are in line with national guidelines from BHIVA (British HIV Association) and BASHH (British Association for HIV and Sexual Health).

It is really important to note that you will be able to stay on your existing medication following any review done by your HIV clinician.

However, you may be given the opportunity to switch to a different medication – which in many cases will mean a generic version of your current branded one.

Generic versions of HIV medication contain the same active ingredients as branded versions and so are clinically the same. However, they are much cheaper than branded drugs.

It is also important to note that some HIV drugs will no longer be offered routinely by clinicians in the future.

The most important thing to remember is that nobody will have to change medication and no change in the medication prescribed to you should happen without an agreement between you and your HIV consultant.

If you want to talk about any concerns you might have about these changes please call us and we will be happy to advise you.

Colin Armstead, 10th October 2022