Leading PrEP charity suddenly closes leaving thousands of patients at risk
Many patients have partners who are HIV positive
By Steve Brown
Thousands of PrEP trial patients have been left in the dark about the HIV prevention drug after the leading charity in the research closes unexpectedly.
St Stephen’s Aids Trust revealed this week that it will “wind down” its operations after it was reported there were financial concerns around the charity, HuffPost UK learned.
The Charities Commission said they are now considering information as a “matter of urgency” after the charity unexpectedly closes.
St Stephen’s were working with researchers to “co-ordinate and lead” the study into the drug and was administering the day-to-day workings of the trial through clinical research.
PrEP reduces the risk of HIV infection by 86 per cent and the impact trial was described as a “major new intervention” when it launched last September.
However, staff now fear that the closure of St Stephen’s could affect the 5,600 patients on the trial and it has been described as “dire”.
HIV activist Tom Hayes told HuffPost UK: “It is worrying that trial participants are being left out of the loop on something that may very directly affect their HIV prevention plans.
“There needs to be reassurance to both the people already enrolled, and those thinking of enrolling, that the impact trial will continue despite the unfortunate demise of St Stephens.”
If there is any deviation from the prescribed course, patients are unprotected from HIV and some on the trial have partners who are HIV positive.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust confirmed it will take over the trial in three weeks’ time.
PrEP is currently available through the NHS in Scotland.