New Zealand: Government to fund PrEP

The New Zealand Labour party made a pledge to fund a pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) that reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by more than 90 percent.

The once-a-day pill regimen is designed for people who are HIV-negative, and, according to major studies, if taken every day dramatically reduces the risk of contracting the virus.  

Labour party leader Andrew Little told the news that the party also plans to fund early access to ART medication for people diagnosed with HIV. These important commitments came as  part of a  major goal to eliminate new HIV infections in the country by 2025.

"Spending this money now is actually saving us further down the track. That's why we do it," Mr Little says.

The New Zealand AIDS Foundation fully supports  the government efforts in the fight against HIV and stated that it is needed to use all tools available to end HIV transmission by 2025.

"PrEP is one of these tools and funding PrEP access for those at highest risk of HIV should be a priority for whoever is in Government," NZ AIDS Foundation executive director Jason Myers said.