The 544 participants of the PROUD study will continue to receive PrEP until April 2016. Outside of this, current policy is that the NHS should not provide PrEP.

A few people may be buying the drugs used in PrEP from online retailers. They are not necessarily getting the HIV tests, sexual health screens, monitoring for side-effects and behavioural support that should be provided alongside the drugs. A draft position statement from the British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) gives doctors advice on how to support people in this position.

Several surveys, mostly conducted with gay men, have explained what PrEP is and asked respondents if they might be interested in taking it. Results are inconsistent but most report that over half the respondents would consider using PrEP, with greater interest among men who have risky sexual behaviour.

Barriers to the use of PrEP highlighted in a UK study included doubt about PrEP’s effectiveness and concerns about its side-effects. People who think they would find adherence difficult or who do not feel at risk of HIV infection are less likely to be interested in PrEP. PrEP is highly contentious for some, especially those who speculate that other people will use condoms less if PrEP is available.

Whereas the PROUD study demonstrated demand from a sub-group of mostly well-educated gay men with strong links with gay communities, there may be other groups and populations who would benefit from PrEP but are less easily reached and may need different forms of support. Raising awareness and understanding of PrEP in a range of affected communities will be important to making PrEP available in an equitable way.