News & Media > BASHH and BHIVA welcome judicial review ruling confirming NHS England's responsibility for the commissioning of PrEP

BASHH and BHIVA welcome judicial review ruling confirming NHS England's responsibility for the commissioning of PrEP

Tuesday 2 August 2016

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and the British HIV Association (BHIVA) strongly welcome the outcome of today's High Court judicial review, which has ruled that NHS England does in fact hold responsibility for the commissioning of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Today's ruling follows NHS England's announcement in March that it did not consider itself responsible for the commissioning of HIV prevention services, despite close liaison over 18 months between experts and an NHS working group to demonstrate the need, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of PrEP. NHS England reiterated this position in May, on the basis of legal advice it had received.

The findings from today's judicial review effectively overturns NHS England's position and represents a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against HIV in this country. The decision is also timely, as 17 people a day continue to be diagnosed with HIV in the UK.

PrEP remains one of the best evidence-based tools that we have at our disposal to reduce levels of onward HIV transmission and all efforts should now be focussed on ensuring that the treatment is made available to those who are in need as quickly as is possible.