PrEP's the Word: Everyone's Talking About It... But What Do We Need To Know, And Do, About Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

September 30, 2008

Pre-Exposure prophylaxis -- or the use of antiretroviral drugs as an HIV prevention tool that HIV-negative people would take prior to HIV exposure -- is a hot topic these days. The results of initial safety and efficacy trials are expected in the next two years, which means we should be planning now for how it would be used to maximize its public health impact.

So what should the HIV/AIDS community be doing in the here and now to consider PrEP as the potential next bio-medical intervention we could add to our HIV prevention effort?

Participants will:

• Get an update on the current status of PrEP research and plans for the next generation of trials
• Discuss the need for -- and challenges of -- planning to implement PrEP if found effective, including financing; access; and integration with HIV testing, prevention and systems of care
• Explore the best ways to talk about PrEP in our communities, to ensure that people have accurate information on this experimental intervention and are prepared to engage in advocacy and planning activities

Presenters:

J. Jeff McConnell, MA: Project Director - Grant Laboratory, Epidemiology and Clinical Studies, Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco

Dawn Smith, MD, MS, MPH: Associate Chief for Science, Epidemiology Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Moderator:

Julie Davids: Senior Consultant, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP)

Click below to listen to the audio recording of the call.



Presentation Materials:

J. Jeff McConnell, MA: