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A funding boost of €450,000 will be announced today. Shutterstock/Jes2u.photo

PrEP programme to reduce HIV rates to be rolled out later this year

Rapid testing will be rolled out in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

LAST UPDATE | 14 Jun 2019

THE PrEP HIV prevention programme will be implemented in 2019, Health Minister Simon Harris said today. 

The pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment is the most recent development in the field of HIV prevention, and sees patients pre-emptively take a fixed dose of oral medication.

As part of a PrEP programme, service-users are also monitored for side effects, tested for HIV and other STIs, and given counselling and advice on safer sex practices.

Health Minister Simon Harris said following the formal advice from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) that such a programme would be safe, effective and cost saving, he plans to roll it out this year. 

In April, HIQA said the introduction of a PrEP programme to reduce HIV rates in Ireland would be cheaper than current care.

“We want to reduce the number of new HIV diagnoses in Ireland. Increasing the availability of PrEP will help us to do so. This report not only confirms that PrEP can help to prevent HIV amongst those who are high risk, it also shows how a PrEP programme could save money,” said Harris.

“My Department and the HSE will fully consider the advice from the HIQA report as we continue to plan for implementation of a programme later this year. I note HIQA’s advice in the report on the need to invest in our sexual health services so we can deliver a high quality, holistic programme. Sexual health is a priority focus for me and Minister Catherine Byrne, and we want to deliver a world-class PrEP programme,” he added. 

HIV a significant public concern

HIQA’s Director of Health Technology Assessment and Deputy Chief Executive, Dr Máirín Ryan, said HIV infection remains a significant public health concern.

“There were 492 diagnoses of HIV notified in Ireland in 2017. Just over half of all notifications were in men who have sex with men,” he said. 

Ryan added that the primary barriers to introducing a PrEP programme in public STI clinics in Ireland relate to staffing and infrastructural issues.

“A significant investment in STI services is required for a national PrEP programme to ensure a safe, sustainable and equitable service,” he said. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the government wants to make it a lot more easy for people to find out their sexual health status. 

A funding boost of €450,000 has been announced today which will be used to expand the  community HIV testing programme to incorporate other at-risk populations, such as migrants.  

Across the four partners in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick being funded for rapid community HIV testing for at risk populations, the target is to conduct 3,250 tests in 2019.  

HIV diagnoses reached a record high last year, with 531 cases in 2018. 

According to HSE data, the number is an 8% increase from figures in 2017 and demonstrates an upward trend in diagnoses.

STIs (sexually transmitted infections) diagnoses also rose last year, with chlamydia infections increasing by an extra 537 diagnoses from 2017 figures, and gonorrhoea increasing by 158. 

There was also an increase in diagnoses of genital herpes, syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). 

Testing 

The additional HSE funding will be specifically used for developments such as community-based HIV testing and outreach services, as well as public campaigns on stigma reduction and promotion of the new PrEP programme later this year.

“The Government wants to reduce the number of people who contract HIV. So, we want to make it easier for people to get tested and know their status, as people who know their status get treated and are far less likely to pass it on,” said the Taoiseach. 

He said he is pleased that Ireland is joining forces with other cities and partners around the world under a global initiative to fight HIV, stating that collaborating will help  identify and share best practice.

“When we announced last year that we would be bringing in a PrEP programme, advocacy and LGBTI+ groups said it needed to be coupled with increased testing in the community.

“We’ve listened to that feedback. Under the HIV Fast Track Cities initiative we will further expand community HIV testing and raise awareness about the benefits of treatment. We’re backing this up with real money; €450,000 for testing in Galway, Cork, Limerick and Dublin and a national awareness programme. By working at local level we can get to the people we need to reach and bring down HIV rates across Ireland,” said Varadkar. 

 “Sexual health is one of our key priorities under Healthy Ireland and reducing the number of new HIV diagnoses in Ireland is a priority focus for me as Minister for Health,” said Simon Harris. 

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jun 14th 2019, 8:36 AM

    How about less promiscuous sex? Fewer one night stands? Less sleeping around? Is that not an option?

    117
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    Mute Sean
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    Jun 14th 2019, 9:04 AM

    @Seeking Truth: How about realsing that people have sex? Lets make it as safe as possible, lets give people access to testing, to education regarding sexual health rather than punishing them and judging their decisions. You can choose less sex and not to get tested, but don’t force others to live by your ethos.

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    Mute SC
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    Jun 14th 2019, 9:08 AM

    @Seeking Truth: They don’t seem to be able to have steady relationships- a lot of people are sleeping around at an age where they should be settled down. It could be because of the economic uncertainty facing young people. Why anyone would “choose” a different empty sexual encounter every week over having a best friend to come home to, one who shares all your joys and sorrows, and will stay when you’re old and fat and ill, is beyond me. I think for most of them it is desperation and loneliness.

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    Mute Who cares?
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    Jun 14th 2019, 10:16 AM

    @SC: at an age where they should be in a steady relationship? Seriously? Who are you to judge what people do?

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    Mute Oscar
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:00 AM

    @Sean: no condoms in your town Sean?

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    Mute Dublinguy2013
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:19 AM

    @SC: what an absolutely ridiculous comment.

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    Mute SC
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    Jun 14th 2019, 12:15 PM

    @Who cares?: I’m a citizen of this country and i have some say on what direction our society takes and what social norms are accepted. Having sex with lots of strangers is obviously physically unhealthy but I wanted to add that it is also socially and emotionally unhealthy. People should focus on their long term happiness and that usually means finding love, and that means working on your personality, developing yourself. Hedonism is empty and directionless.

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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Jun 14th 2019, 12:57 PM

    @SC:

    Hang on a second now. Unhealthy, according to you! What makes you think you are qualified to decide what is healthy for other people? For a start, why on earth would you care what other people do or how many sexual partners they have? Secondly, “people should”!! WTF? People should what, live exactly as you do? And thirdly, the most bizzare one of them all, when people “should”be settling down?? You have gotta be taking the piss! Is this a wind up, really? I’m guessing you have the conservative society’s book of rules at home and you read it a lot.

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    Mute Joey Casey
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    Jun 14th 2019, 1:02 PM

    @SC: since when was life so clear cut? I have to be settled down at a certain age. No! I live my life how I like, not how society pre plans it.
    Some people don’t have a choice regarding sexual partners until their soulmate comes into their life.
    let’s make sex as safe and enjoyable as possible

    22
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    Mute Cocker
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    Jun 14th 2019, 1:10 PM

    @Nollaig Elliot: “What makes you think you are qualified…?”

    Well he does have the Bachelors Degree in Shitehawkery. That’s got to count for something.

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    Mute Sean
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    Jun 14th 2019, 2:11 PM

    @Oscar: Can you clarify where I mentioned a lack of condoms? You still need to get tested even if you use condoms. Please reference my comment above, you are obviously in need of eduacation on sexual health.

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    Mute Charles Quinn
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    Jun 14th 2019, 3:18 PM

    @Sean: How about the people who are promiscuous acknowledge their action have bad results for them and society. Instead of trying to legitimize promiscuity and down playing it so they can keep doing it.

    Someone has to treat these people with aids and someone has to pay those people to. There is only a limited supply of medical resources.

    The majority of aids cases would not happen if people didn’t make a choice they freely made, which they could foresee could have very bad repercussions.

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jun 14th 2019, 3:48 PM

    @Joey Casey: We can choose to do what we want, and we can also suffer the consequences of our actions. STI’s seem to be an increasing consequence of promiscuous sex.

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:59 PM

    @SC: Mind your own business. What 2 consenting adults do with eachother is none of your business.

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    Mute Seriously stunned
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    Jun 14th 2019, 8:07 AM

    No comments allowed on the paddy Jackson article.why is that?

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    Mute Patrick Nolan
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:08 AM

    @Seriously stunned:
    Trigger happy Belfast solicitors

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    Mute Anthony Healy
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    Jun 14th 2019, 6:45 AM

    Friday mornings in most GUM clinics are full of students. Hedonistic lifestyles and the fear of testing are our greatest threat.
    Get tested folks.

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    Mute Oscar
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:00 AM

    Half a million to help prevent a preventable illness.
    Patethic waste of money

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    Mute Del Bear
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    Jun 14th 2019, 1:00 PM

    @Oscar: Is preventing a preventable illness not exactly what we should be doing?..The illness is only preventable when we do the preventing bit no?

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    Mute Joey Casey
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    Jun 14th 2019, 1:03 PM

    @Oscar: Your comment is a pathetic waste too

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    Mute Ben Fede
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    Jun 14th 2019, 6:53 AM

    *more free access

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    Mute Ben Fede
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    Jun 14th 2019, 6:52 AM

    Free jonnies for the lads and less free access for PrEP to start

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    Mute Philip Kavanagh
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    Jun 14th 2019, 10:24 AM

    @Ben Fede: Less free access to PrEP?

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    Mute Mary Fallon
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:35 AM

    Simon Harris says sexual health is his key priority but what about all the other health needs of this country and so many of them non-preventable, unlike HIV.

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    Mute greg merrin
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:53 AM

    @Mary Fallon: How about you find out the costs that are spent on all these other non-preventable diseases and compare the costs with this then? Because until you do, you’re talking complete pony.

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    Mute Trust The Chalice
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    Jun 14th 2019, 9:39 AM

    Leo Varadkar

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Jun 15th 2019, 12:00 AM

    @Trust The Chalice: Charlie Haughey

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    Mute Chris Martin
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    Jun 14th 2019, 12:29 PM

    How about we stop treating sex like a handshake and not have it with whoever and whenever. Hardly creates healthy relationships treating it they way we treat it and hence not a very healthy society either.

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    Mute Joey Casey
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    Jun 14th 2019, 1:10 PM

    @Chris Martin: A very general comment there. Humans are built to have sex and desire it on a daily basis, especially men. Being committed to one sexual partner for a lifetime isn’t the animal instinct inside is, it’s how society and religion has built up that idea.

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jun 14th 2019, 6:01 PM

    @Joey Casey: really? Have you considered that you have been brainwashed by the media to believe that being committed to one sexual partner is not normal?

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    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
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    Jun 14th 2019, 8:00 PM

    @Seeking Truth: I’m not saying that it is not normal but could you please explain why it is normal?

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jun 14th 2019, 8:54 PM

    @Diarmuid Hunt: The world “normal” has lost its meaning in today’s post-truth society. So let me use a different word.

    The vast majority of adults who live in a family unit, in a committed relationship, where they make the decision to share a life together….they commit to one sexual partner…this is considered good, and valuable and stable. It is good for society. It is good for children, if there are children. It is good for the healthcare system.
    The reality ane the evidence of the consequences of promiscuous sex are everywhere, but we think that having more and more sexual partners is somehow our constitutional right. However, the evidence of the benefits of committed, secure relationships are also everywhere.

    I think it is worth the “sacrifice” – if one wants to call it that, to live in this kind of secure relationship. I do not think that sexual “freedom” is all it’s cracked up to be.

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    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
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    Jun 14th 2019, 10:04 PM

    @Seeking Truth: How could it not be our right to choose whether to have one or multiple sexual partners? Surely it’s an individual decision regardless of whether it is good for society or not.

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    Mute Chris Martin
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    Jun 14th 2019, 10:41 PM

    @Joey Casey: When we treat sex as a casual everyday, anyone encounter it ultimately leads to disease and death and unwanted pregnancies/abortions. That should tell you everything you need to know. Treating sex as something that should only be with someone you love, respect and have a bond with would lead to a much healthier society (mentally and physically) all round. I know thats not a very modern opinion for oul’ liberal Ireland but there you have it.

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Jun 15th 2019, 12:01 AM

    @Chris Martin: How about you mind your own business and leave consenting adults alone.

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    Mute Chris Martin
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    Jun 15th 2019, 7:45 AM

    @Ian Breathnach: Because guess who’s taxes pay for when the health of our society suffers Ian?

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    Mute Kath Noonan
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:01 AM

    Profit making mindset – Let’s just fire chemicals into people who are perfectly healthy ‘just in case’.

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    Mute Paul
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    Jun 14th 2019, 11:13 AM

    @Kath Noonan: currently prep (pre-exposure) costs about €80 per month. Pep (post-exposure) costs €1500 per course, treatment for HIV costs approx €250,000 per patient. Which is more cost effective in your opinion?

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    Mute Candace
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    Jun 15th 2019, 12:27 AM

    @Paul:

    A packet of Jonnie’s is how much?

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    Mute Joey Casey
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    Jun 14th 2019, 1:07 PM

    Brilliant idea! It’s about time that it’s going to be rolled out here. It’s been a major success in reducing HIV rates in other parts of Europe and North America.
    Men in general are notorious for having unsafe sex and are forced to pay the ultimate price. However, Prep doesn’t prevent the spread of other STI’s so we still have to be mindful.

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    Mute Kazoochka
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    Jun 14th 2019, 3:28 PM

    all for lowing rates of HIV but i really don’t see why the public purse is used to effectively encourage unprotected sex when condoms act as a barrier to HIV already.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Jun 14th 2019, 4:09 PM

    @Kazoochka: condoms fail.

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Jun 15th 2019, 12:00 AM

    @B Collins: only sometimes

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Jun 15th 2019, 12:02 AM

    @Pat Patovic: Exactly, which is why prep is required.

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    Mute Honeybee
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    Jun 14th 2019, 12:27 PM
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jun 14th 2019, 1:57 PM

    The virus is very dangerous and can adapt very easily, given time it will become the same as superbugs to penicillin. As some will think this will give them a licence to have unprotected sex.
    The only real cure seems to be stem cell treatment from those who have a natural immunity to the virus, the same for the Ebola virus as well.
    But hay… https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/11/goldman-asks-is-curing-patients-a-sustainable-business-model.html

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