Interrogating the promise of long-acting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Abstract

Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a well-established product that provides a safe and highly effective way for individuals to protect themselves against HIV infection. However, hopes of a significant reduction in HIV incidence have been disappointing because of low uptake, adherence challenges to a daily pill regimen, and consistently high discontinuation rates within 6 months of initiation. Long-acting agents have been long awaited for their potential to facilitate adherence and to offer a choice between PrEP products. As the first long-acting agents enter the market, with more poised to follow, questions around how to integrate long-acting agents into oral PrEP platforms, and what the potential advantages and pitfalls of this integration will be, now need to be considered.

Keywords: HIV prevention; PrEP choice; differentiated service delivery; long-acting PrEP; oral PrEP; pre-exposure prophylaxis.