Sexually transmitted disease

Integrating community pharmacy testing for hepatitis C with specialist care

Many patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection lie undiagnosed and a significant proportion of patients that have been identified are disengaged from specialist services. The Isle of Wight (IOW) typifies this issue, with an estimated 200 undiagnosed patients with HCV infection and a small numb…

Antiretroviral therapy virtually eliminates HIV transmission within couples

Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) virtually eliminates the risk of HIV transmission to an uninfected partner, according to a study of serodiscordant couples. …

Concerns around buying emergency hormonal contraception online

The practice of online prescribing and buying medicines on the internet is expanding and it can play a positive role in providing care for our ever growing population. However, concerns have been raised at the news that some women are buying emergency hormonal contraceptive (EHC) pills from overseas…

High-risk women need more frequent doses of HIV drugs

Researchers say more frequent pre-exposure prophylaxis is required to protect women from HIV.…

Doxycycline more effective than azithromycin for chlamydia

Trial finds doxycycline slightly more effective, but researchers not entirely convinced of its superiority. …

Dame Sally Davies and Keith Ridge urge review of gonorrhoea treatment protocols

GPs and internet pharmacies that provide access to online prescribing services should review their gonorrhoea treatment protocols to ensure they comply with national recommendations, say chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies and chief pharmaceutical officer Keith Ridge.…

Stigma towards people with HIV will undo advances in drug treatment

Societal attitudes towards HIV need to keep up with the advances in drug development and treatment for the illness.…

How cuts to public health funding could affect pharmacy

Planned government budget cuts put pharmacy’s role in providing public health services under threat.…

European drug regulator finds HPV vaccine not linked to syndromes

There is no evidence to suggest that the human papillomavirus vaccine causes two syndromes in young women, the European Medicines Agency has concluded in a safety review.…

Antiretroviral drug Truvada proves its worth in preventing new HIV infections

Treating men deemed at high risk of becoming HIV positive with daily antiretroviral medication is extremely effective at preventing new infections, according to new data.…