The behaviour of NHS England in putting one group of patients against another is wholly unprofessional. NHS England had previously agreed to fund the drug then decided it wasn't in their remit. To suggest it is this patient group or another was never the argument and NHS England are showing themselves to be petty and spiteful when they should be clinically evaluating PrEP. PrEP is likely to be for one or two years - about £10,000 compared to the lifetime costs of treating HIV at £380,000. Plus, when the drug comes off patent in 2018 the costs will plummet.
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Notes to Editor: Mike is Chair of the All-Party Group on HIV/AIDS.