Since 2015, WHO has recommended oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people at substantial risk of HIV. However, PrEP rollout in many settings in the Asia Pacific region and the rest of the world is limited and not at scale.

This is the time to advocate for PrEP, especially at a moment when new PrEP products are becoming available. In 2019, WHO updated guidance on oral PrEP to include the option of event-driven PrEP (ED-PrEP, also known as 2+1+1) for cisgender men who have sex with men. In 2021, WHO recommended the dapivirine vaginal ring as an additional PrEP option for cisgender women at substantial risk of HIV. With positive results for the safety and efficacy of injectable drug cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for the prevention of HIV among cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men, communities have more viable options to protect themselves. It is exciting news that requires attention, and concerted efforts are very much needed to ensure recognition of this ground-breaking HIV intervention.

APCOM, with the support of WHO, UNAIDS, and USAID, along with FHI 360, EpiC, PATH, IHRI, PrEP Viet, and APTN, have organized a webinar that will focus on new PrEP modalities in the Asia Pacific region. In this 90-minute online session, we will discuss the evidence supporting CAB-LA from the successful HPTN 083 study and implications for combination prevention and other future PrEP products. Representatives from key population communities will also share their views on how they envisioned PrEP use going forward.

Title: New PrEP Products for Asia Pacific: What Do We Need to Know?
Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYod-GqqDIjEtJDNoKMKt2wQqQ09weaQ7YY