Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in Europe and Central Asia Monitoring implementation of the Dublin Declaration – 2022 progress report
This evidence brief summarises key issues and priorities for action in Europe and Central Asia on PrEP. It is largely based on data collected between February and August 2022 to monitor implementation of the 2004 Dublin Declaration.
Executive Summary
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is very effective at preventing novel HIV infections when taken as prescribed. It is an important element in the ‘combination prevention’ necessary to reach the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Since 2016, PrEP has been increasingly available through healthcare systems in countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region, but in 2022 17 countries (five in the EU) had not yet formally implemented PrEP in their healthcare systems.
Certain key populations, such as people who inject drugs, prisoners, and undocumented migrants, remain ineligible for PrEP in many countries in the WHO European Region.
PrEP is mostly provided in clinical settings, such as infectious disease clinics and sexual health clinics, and in most countries in the WHO European Region requires a prescription from a medical doctor.
Improved data collection and surveillance on PrEP uptake are vital for obtaining a proper understanding of who has access to PrEP. In addition, sharing of best practices, especially those relating to feasibility, cost, and technical matters, would support expanded provision of PrEP in the Region.
