The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets the body's immune system and weakens its defense against infections and severe diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV disease can be managed by treatment regimes consisting of combined antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.
The health agency supports the global health sector strategies implemented between 2022-2030 to end HIV and other diseases.
First Healthcare System to Eliminate New HIV Cases
The National Health Service (NHS) in England believes that they are on track with its goal to become the first country to be HIV-free before the end of the decade after signing a series of deals that ensure new medicines are available across the country to end regional disparities.
Through the series of national deals, 87,000 people in the country are currently being treated for HIV. Additionally, 61,000 people receive preventive treatment, such as the first long-acting injection for HIV, cabotegravir, and rilpivirine. They will also receive the latest medications for the infection wherever they are in the country to improve treatment and reduce transmissions.
The announcement comes a week after the NHS approved fostemsavir for multi-drug resistant HIV infections. It is the first oral drug that received a license for infected people with limited treatment options.
HIV treatment aims to keep the viral load at such low levels that it becomes undetectable and no longer attacks the immune system. The fostemsavir has been proven to be a successful antiretroviral treatment that prevents HIV transmission, helping NHS to become the first healthcare system in the world to reach zero new HIV cases before 2030.
National NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said in the press release that the system has a genuine chance of achieving its goal due to the unparalleled efforts of NHS staff and the ability to get effective hands to those who need them.
He noted that NHS has a proven track record of striking medicine agreements that give patients access to world-leading care at an affordable price.
About Fostemsavir
Per Medline Plus, fostemsavir is a drug against HIV infection used along with other medications in adults whose HIV could not be treated with other therapies, including their existing treatment.
The drug is in the class of medications known as HIV attachment inhibitors and works by decreasing the HIV load in the blood. However, the drugs do not cure HIV as it only decreases the chance of the infection turning into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related illnesses.
It comes as a tablet taken by mouth with or without food and is usually taken twice a day at around the same time every day. Experts remind patients to follow directions on their prescription label or ask their doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that seems ambiguous to them.
Taking fostemsavir, practicing safer sex, and making healthy lifestyle choices may decrease an infected person's risk of transmitting the virus to other people.
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