People at risk of HIV in Scotland to be given PrEP drug on NHS

Aids campaigners say move puts pressure on England to end delays in providing the medication despite two court rulings

People at risk of HIV in Scotland are to be given drugs on the NHS that will protect them from infection, it has been announced, in a move that Aids campaigners say will put pressure on the authorities in England to end delays in providing the same medication despite two major court rulings.

In a major victory for campaigners, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) said pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) would be free on the NHS to those who need it because they were at risk - for instance, if they have a partner with HIV. Access to the drugs could begin within weeks.