What are the eligibility criteria for prescribing PrEP to patients at high risk of HIV acquisition?

Eligibility criteria for prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to patients at high risk of acquiring HIV include offering PrEP to people at higher risk of HIV infection, as defined by the British HIV Association (BHIVA) and British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) guidelines, which are referenced and supported by NICE recommendations.

These criteria typically focus on individuals involved in higher rates of condomless sex with multiple or frequently changing partners, such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, but eligibility is not limited to these groups alone.

Other factors include people who have had recent sexually transmitted infections, those who are sexual partners of people known to be HIV positive or at high risk, and individuals with high-risk sexual practices (e.g., chemsex).

PrEP is also considered for people who may have difficulty accessing sexual health services or who belong to groups with greater sexual health or access needs, including trans people, cisgender women, young people aged 16 to 24, and people from Black African or Caribbean backgrounds.

Healthcare professionals should raise awareness and ensure clear referral pathways to PrEP services for eligible individuals, supporting them with regular HIV testing and STI screening every 3 months, adherence support, and monitoring for side effects and kidney function.

Overall, prescribing PrEP should be done in line with BHIVA/BASHH guidelines and NICE recommendations, ensuring tailored information and support are provided to maximise effectiveness and adherence.

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