At the workshop “Feasibility and acceptability of long-acting antiretroviral drugs in HIV treatment and prevention in Vietnam” held on June 6 by the US CDC and the United States Agency for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. Vietnam Health Development Cooperation (HAIVN) organized Associate Professor Pham Thi Thu Huong said that long-acting antiretroviral drugs are the latest innovations in HIV treatment and prevention.
Specifically In HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), two new drugs are available in the world, including the long-acting injectable drug cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and the vaginal ring containing dapivirine (DPV-VR).
For HIV treatment, long-acting injectable drugs containing cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) are available in some countries as an alternative treatment to oral drugs (ARVs).< /p>
Mr. Minesh Shah – Chief Medical Advisor of the US CDC Office in Vietnam evaluates that Vietnam has achieved great success with oral ARV drugs. This drug has been shown to be well-tolerated, safe and highly effective in suppressing viral load and using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Meanwhile with injectable drugs Long-acting antiretroviral drugs for HIV will provide opportunities to expand options for HIV prevention and treatment, helping patients reduce the disadvantages and difficulties of having to take oral medication every day.
Mr. Minesh Shah added that recent large-scale international trials have found that long-acting injectable ARVs can be highly effective when used for both pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV treatment.
CAB-LA and DPV-VR are recommended for PrEP by the World Health Organization (WHO) with a person-centered strategy. Accordingly, long-acting antiviral drugs have an important effect in helping users overcome the difficulties of having to take medication every day and improve their quality of life.
Associate Professor Phan Thi Thu Huong – Director of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention (Ministry of Health) assessed: “This is The treatment regimen is very convenient for patients. Because with long-acting injectable ARV drugs, patients only take them once a month or once every two months instead of taking daily pills.”
This can help improve treatment compliance for patients. for some patients and may improve quality of life for those tired of taking pills every day. People who take ARVs via injection may be less afraid of accidentally revealing their HIV status.
Mr. Todd Pollack – Medical Director of HAIVN said that long-acting antiviral drugs have an important effect in helping users overcome the difficulties of having to take medication every day and improve their quality of life. live.
The first long-acting injectable ART regimen was recently approved for use in several countries including the United States in 2021 but is not currently approved. approved for use or available in Vietnam.
Therefore, Mr. Todd Pollack believes that the results of the study will assist Vietnam in designing policies and supply options. providing effective long-acting ARV drugs as a complementary approach to help control the HIV epidemic.
According to Ms. Huong, based on initial research and the practice of organizations International organizations are campaigning to help Vietnam amend the National Guidelines for HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care to include these new drugs in the list of drugs for treatment from health insurance sources to reduce drug costs. for users.
In Vietnam research Collect the opinions of users and medical staff on the feasibility and acceptability of long-acting antiretroviral drugs implemented in 4 provinces/cities by 2022 including Hanoi Hai Phong City. Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong.
Results showed that 96% of people living with HIV would definitely or probably use long-acting injectable ARV drugs if the drugs were available and 85% preferred injectable drugs over ARV drugs take the pill if given the choice.
92% of MSM and transgender women would definitely or probably take long-acting injectable PrEP if it were available and 81% would prefer injectables over PrEP Oral if given a choice.
With long-acting PrEP injections, 87% of female sex workers would definitely or probably use injectable PrEP if it were available in Vietnam.
With the PrEP vaginal ring 53% of sex workers would definitely or probably use the long-acting PrEP vaginal ring if one were available, and 37% preferred the vaginal ring over oral PrEP if given a choice.
Meanwhile, the majority of medical staff evaluate that new drugs can help Vietnam achieve the national goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
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