'Gamechanging' PrEP programme to reduce HIV rates being rolled out from today

However, Stephen O’Hare cautioned that “no one measure will, by itself, halt the upward trend in new infections seen in Ireland over the past few years.”

The introduction of a free PrEP programme is a significant ‘gamechanger’ for at-risk communities but not a panacea in reducing the spread of HIV”, warns Stephen O’Hare, newly appointed executive director of HIV Ireland.

Speaking on the first day of the phased roll-out of a free, drug-based HIV prevention programme, Mr O’Hare welcomed the initiative by Health Minister Simon Harris as evidence that the Government had “honoured its commitment to enhancing preventive measures to combat the spread of HIV”.