The map below indicates that Nigeria has not registered Truvada for use as PrEP as at May 2017. Yet the new national guidelines on use of ARV for HIV prevention and treatment has legislated the use of tenofovir based regimen like Truvada for use as PrEP.
Currently, HIV sero-discordant couples have access to Truvada use as PrEP in the NACA led PrEP demonstration study implemented in Plateau, Anambra and Cross River States. Couples on PrEP will however have to discontinue PrEP once the project is concluded in 2018. Without a plan for their continued access, many couples many HIV negative partners in HIV sero-discordant relationships may feel vulnerable with implications for social harmony in the home.
Similarly, there are plans by PEPFAR to support access of key populations in Nigeria to PrEP for a period of time through the role out of a PrEP access programme.
Beyond these programmes, there are significant number of Nigerians at high risk of contracting HIV infection who are eligible to PrEP as highlighted in the national guidelines on use of ARV for HIV prevention and treatment. These individuals will best access PrEP through prescriptions by trained medical doctors; and trained pharmacists will need to supply these medications.
Without NAFDAC's registration of a tenofovir based regimen for use as PrEP in Nigeria, access to PrEP via prescriptions and outside the demonstration project in Nigeria will be challlenging.
NHVMAS looks forward to Nigeria joining the league of countries with regulatory status of Truvada for PrEP. PrEP access can significantly reduce the HIV incidence in Nigeria and fast-track national efforts to achieve the 2030 global HIV and AIDS control target.
NHVMAS looks forward to national investment in training critical stakeholders on the use and management of clients on PrEP by the Federal Ministry of Health.
NHVMAS looks forward to efforts to empower Civil Society Organisation to drive PrEP access issues - including PrEP distribution -- through community based systems that ensures no eligible person is left behind.
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