Two studies, PROUD and IPERGAY, found that PrEP with Truvada reduced the risk of HIV infection by 86% when taken correctly. PROUD studied 545 high-risk HIV-negative men who have sex with men taking daily PrEP, and found negligible increases in other STIs. IPERGAY studied 400 men using an on-demand dosing strategy before and after sex, and also found no HIV transmissions with correct use. The studies provide strong evidence that PrEP can significantly reduce HIV risk with few drawbacks when adherence is high.

1. For Immediate Release
Promising News from CROI 2015: PrEP Reduced HIV Risk By 86% In
PROUD and IPERGAY Studies; No Transmissions Reported With Full
Adherence
The Most Extensive MSM PrEP Studies to Date, PROUD and IPERGAY,
Report Record High Levels of Efficacy, Low Risk
March 4th, 2015 (New York, NY)--Two comprehensive studies show unequivocally that,
when taken correctly, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with Truvada (emtricitabine and
tenofovir) stops HIV transmission in HIV-negative MSM with few drawbacks. The
methodology of each study is very different but the conclusions are the same.
The findings of these ongoing studies were announced last week at CROI (The
Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections). Last October both studies
stopped their original placebo or deferment protocol, instead giving the active drug to all
participants because of the early, unexpected success in stopping HIV transmission. [1]
“The success of these studies is remarkable,” said Dr. George Ayala, Executive Director
of the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF). “It reinforces the urgency for rapid global
approval of and access to PrEP for all high-risk groups and an increased need to
dismantle any obstacles including stigma, discrimination, criminalization, race equality,
economic barriers, and any marginalization of people that may be a deterrent to wide
spread PrEP usage.”
PROUD is a UK-based study in which 545 high-risk HIV-negative individuals take a
daily PrEP regimen. Over the course of the study, statistical increases in other STIs
were negligible, possibly due to the regular blood panel screenings required of all
participants. Evidence in the PROUD study suggests that participants were not using
condoms less frequently since starting on Truvada.
IPERGAY is a French study with 400 participants utilizing an “on demand” dosing
strategy. Patients take a double dose of Truvada within 24 to 2 hours before sex and
continue with one dose per day for ongoing sexual activity. This method may result in a
cheaper and more flexible method of utilizing PrEP with the same results. However, it
also introduces more variables as opposed to a once-a-day consistent dosing schedule.
This is the highest population-level effectiveness of PrEP seen in a randomized study to
date, and the results speak volumes about this HIV prevention method. The studies
further dispel the notion that widespread use of PrEP by HIV-negative MSM will result in
an increase in other STIs. The CDC recommends daily dosing of PrEP and urges

2. people at risk for HIV infection and their health care providers to follow their guidelines.
Media Contact:
Jack Mackenroth
646 221 5036
jmackenroth@msmgf.org
The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) is an expanding network of AIDS organizations,
MSM networks, and advocates committed to ensuring robust coverage of and equitable access
to effective HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services tailored to the needs of gay
men and other MSM.
###
References
1. Simon Collins, HIV i-Base ‘”On Demand’ PrEP Dosing in IPERGAY: 86% Reduced Risk
of HIV, No Transmissions With Active Drug Use” CROI 2015, Conference Reports.
http://i-base.info/htb/27897
2. Simon Collins, HIV i-Base “PrEP Reduced HIV Risk by At Least 86% in PROUD: No
Transmissions Likely From People Taking Med” CROI2015, Conference Reports.
http://i-base.info/htb/27819
3. Dr. Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH Director, CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral
Hepatitis, STD & TB Prevention, NCHHSTP Newsroom, 2015, “CDC Statement on
IPERGAY Trial of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention among Men Who
Have Sex with Men” http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2015/IPERGAY-2015-
Media-Statement.html