HIV prevention drug use surges in Finland

Use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Finland has multiplied several times over in seven years, with nearly 2,000 users in the Helsinki region and just over 2,000 nationwide, according to HUS Helsinki University Hospital infectious disease specialist Eija Hiltunen-Back.

The drug, which prevents HIV infection when taken before potential exposure, became free of charge in public healthcare in 2021. Initially introduced by HUS in 2019, it was initially a paid treatment with only a few hundred users.

PrEP is intended for individuals at high risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, injecting drug users, and some travelers. The treatment is not lifelong, as many use it only for short periods when their risk is elevated.

Before starting PrEP, patients undergo thorough testing to confirm they are HIV-negative. Regular follow-ups every three months include testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The drug does not protect against other STIs.

Hiltunen-Back notes that while PrEP is highly effective, it requires consistent use. The treatment and related tests are free for patients, and the cost to society is far lower than the 350,000–400,000 euros in lifetime treatment costs for an HIV infection.