Video
Receiving Grade A Recommendations for Injectable PrEP and New Agents
Lynne H. Milgram, MD, MBA, CPE, speaks about the USPSTF Grade A recommendation for injectable cabotegravir and how it could affect emerging agents in the future.
Lynne H. Milgram, MD, MBA, CPE: The updated guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force pointed out a few important things. The most startling [update] talked about making sure you discuss prophylaxis for HIV with all sexually active patients. That’s a good thing, to not single out any group and not take for granted groups that don’t need it. One of the most amazing things about the guidelines is that you used to see direct-to-consumer commercials on TV singling out groups. You only saw 1 group depicted. It’s important. That was a big change.
[The updated guidelines] also pointed out the groups that could benefit from a long-acting injectable. Among them were patients who have problems taking pills, patients who prefer getting an injection every 2 months, and patients who have complications that won’t allow them to take oral medication, such as chronic kidney disease. That in and of itself is a big change, and providers need to be aware of it. In California, where I live, we’ve never had cost-sharing. I work in managed care, which could be different, but it’s a very positive move to not have cost-sharing in this prophylactic area or with treatment. It’s very important. It’s probably less important to me because we never did, but I’m happy that it now exists, at least in California, and I’m sure it does in other health systems such as mine.
Transcript edited for clarity.
