Expert raises concern over HIV prevention drug

The colour of a drug meant to prevent HIV infections among people who work in risky environments may be the greatest hindrance to its use.

Patients and health experts say pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is blue, may be discouraging would-be users from taking it as it is construed to be a sex enhancement drug.

“We have had cases of people who stopped using their drugs because of the stigma that surrounds the colour of the pill,” Dr Christine Ogolla, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation programme director, said.

PUBLIC CONCERN
She said the drug’s appearance makes some people associate it with Viagra, a sexual stimulant, and tablets used in treating mental illnesses.

The blue tablets are packaged in a container patients say produces a rattling sound when one opens it.

Dr Ogolla said due to concerns from clients, her organisation has had several discussions with the manufacturers, who are considering changing the appearance.

“We must give their concerns priority but the changes cannot be made in one day. We are giving the manufacturers time to consider making changes,” she said.

STIGMA
Dr Ogolla said considering that some of the patients have not disclosed their status to their partners, the sound becomes a stumbling block to using the drug.

“Some of them fill the container with cotton wool so that by the time they are removing the drug when their spouses are around, it does not make the sound. Some facilities are giving the drug in plastic bottles without labels,” she said.

“Ideally, disclosure should not be forced. It should be a personal decision. These are very valid concerns towards enhancing adherence to the drug,” she added.

The drug is meant for HIV prevention.

PREVENTION

It allows HIV-negative people at very high risk of contracting the virus to lower their chances of getting infected, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The drug is targeted at commercial sex workers and nurses involved in the treatment of HIV-positive people as well as researchers working on the virus.

The drug is supposed to be taken several weeks before the exposure time and is meant to prevent the virus from multiplying in the body in the event an individual is exposed to it.

Dr Maureen Kimani of the National Aids and STI Control Programme said they are set to release a comprehensive report in February next year on PrEP to get the exact number of people using it.

“More needs to be done but after the release of the report, we will get to know the challenges being faced and what areas to work on, for example the colour and the rattling sound,” she said.