Japan Set to Approve HIV Prevention Method “PrEP”: A Relief for Men with Multiple Same-Sex Partners
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Japan Set to Approve HIV Prevention Method “PrEP”: A Relief for Men with Multiple Same-Sex Partners
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which leads to AIDS, was once considered a fatal disease. However, advancements in treatment have made it possible for people living with HIV to lead normal lives. A method that involves taking existing HIV medications preventatively is expected to be approved in Japan within this fiscal year.
HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and blood exposure, leading to AIDS after an asymptomatic period. AIDS destroys the immune system, causing severe pneumonia and cancers. Since the first HIV treatment emerged in 1987, numerous medications with fewer side effects have been developed. Continuous treatment allows individuals to live normal lives, including working and having children, without transmitting the virus to others.
With the expansion of treatment, UNAIDS has set a goal to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. A key strategy to achieve this is “Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis” (PrEP), which involves administering specific HIV medications to high-risk individuals before exposure to the virus.
There are two main PrEP regimens: taking one pill daily or multiple doses around the time of sexual activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends PrEP, and it is approved in Western countries, where it is often available for free or at low cost.
In Japan, however, PrEP is not yet approved, requiring individuals to import the medication themselves or obtain it from clinics that import it. The cost ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 yen per month.
Amid this backdrop, American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences filed for public knowledge-based approval of their HIV prevention drug Truvada in February, at the request of the Japanese government. This type of approval allows for quicker processing without domestic clinical trials. However, as PrEP is for prevention, it will not be covered by public health insurance.
Reducing Infection Risk by 99%
When used correctly, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 99%. A clinical trial conducted by the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo involved 124 men who have sex with men taking one Truvada pill daily for two years, with no new HIV infections reported. In contrast, 11 out of 177 men who did not take the medication contracted HIV.
Daisuke Shiojiri, director of the Sexual Health Clinic in Tokyo, highlights the importance of ensuring no existing HIV infection before starting PrEP and the need for regular testing for sexually transmitted infections.
A 37-year-old man in Tokyo, who has multiple same-sex partners, has been using PrEP for the past eight months. “I no longer feel anxious about potentially getting infected after every sexual encounter,” he says.
Associate Professor Toshifumi Taniguchi of Chiba University’s Department of Infectious Diseases stresses the importance of early detection through testing, early treatment, and appropriate condom use in HIV prevention. He adds that if PrEP is approved, it will be easier for authorities to promote it as a preventive measure. However, to ensure access for those who need it, public funding assistance must be considered.
Japan Set to Approve HIV Prevention Method “PrEP”: A Relief for Men with Multiple Same-Sex Partners
(source:internet, reference only)
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