USPSTF’s new PrEP recommendation aims for more choices, greater impact

According to a new recommendation statement published in JAMA, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends PrEP for those at high risk of contracting HIV to comprise newer antiretroviral drugs, including a long-acting option.

Truvada was the first medication approved for HIV prevention 2012. In 2019, Descovy was added as a PrEP option, and the first injectable PrEP (Apretude) became available in 2022.

USPSTF recommends that sexually active adults and adolescents be considered for PrEP if they have had anal or vaginal sex in the previous 6 months and/or a sexual partner living with HIV, a sexually transmitted infection in the past 6 months, or a history of inconsistent or no condom use as well as if they inject drugs or have a partner who injects drugs.

No PrEP medications have FDA approval for the indication of reducing the risk of acquiring HIV via injection drug use, but CDC guidelines note that people who inject drugs are likely to benefit from PrEP with any FDA-approved PrEP medication.

Practice laws in 17 states allow pharmacists to provide patients with PrEP or PEP and, in some cases, reimbursement for these services.

The USPSTF’s new recommendation is consistent with the 2019 recommendation that clinicians offer PrEP with effective antiretroviral therapy to individuals who are at high risk of HIV infection.