WHO Updates HIV Guidelines to Incorporate UCL Research
29 July 2024
WHO Updates Guidelines to Enhance Access to HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Incorporating UCL Research.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its guidelines to increase access to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), following findings from a modelling study led by researchers at UCL’s Institute for Global Health. This update aims to strengthen global HIV prevention efforts as the virus continues to affect millions worldwide.
HIV PEP involves individuals who have potentially been exposed to HIV taking a short course of a daily combination pill containing three antiretroviral drugs. When started within 24 hours of exposure, PEP can effectively prevent HIV infection. However, in many regions of East, Central, Southern, and West Africa, PEP availability is limited, often restricted to clinical settings.
The updated WHO guidelines were informed by findings of a modelling study led by Professor Andrew Phillips and colleagues, published in The Lancet Global Health in October 2023. The study demonstrated that making PEP readily available in community environments was likely to be cost-effective in reducing the incidence of HIV.
The WHO Guidelines Development Group now advises that PEP should be made available widely in community settings and that task sharing should be utilized to facilitate the dispensing, distribution, provision, and monitoring of HIV PEP.
By implementing these new recommendations, the WHO aims to ensure rapid access to PEP, particularly in regions with high HIV prevalence, in an effort to reduce the rate of new HIV infections.
Links
- Potential cost-effectiveness of community availability of tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir for HIV prevention and treatment in east, central, southern, and west Africa: a modelling analysis
- Enabling timely HIV postexposure prophylaxis access in sub-Saharan Africa
- WHO updates guidelines to enhance access to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis
- Professor Andrew Phillips UCL Profile
- Dr Loveleen Bansi-Matharu UCL Profile
- Prof Maryam Shahmanesh UCL Profile
- Prof Alison Rodger UCL Profile
- Dr Valentina Cambiano UCL Profile
- Dr Jennifer Smith UCL Profile