Gov’t launches drugs to lower HIV contraction cases

Individuals at substantial, on-going risk of contracting HIV and AIDS will now be able to access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) after the government launched the cost free HIV prevention drug for people at significant risk of contracting the virus.

PrEP will be available at selected health facilities, with members of the public able to purchase the drugs over the counter at a cost of Ksh 20 for a pill, while those who purchase it from private health facilities will pay at least Ksh 3,600 per month.

PrEP is a dose of anti-retroviral medication administered daily in order to prevent HIV infection. One should start taking the drugs at least seven days before exposure.

The drug will be available to anyone at risk, with health workers required to carry out an assessment of need.

The Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis drug has already been tested in Kenya and Uganda, posting a 96 per cent efficacy.

If used consistently, the drug can significantly reduce the risk of getting HIV from unprotected sex, with more than 260,000 discordant couples said to be in the country.

At the same time, the government has introduced a HIV self-test kit which will cost at least Ksh 800, as a measure to encourage HIV awareness.

Individuals will have the choice of taking a swab from their oral cavity or taking a blood sample.

The aim is to bring down infections with recent studies having shown that half of new infections take place among couples in committed relationships, with adolescents also making up.