A new development in the treatment of HIV has been hailed as a “big step forward” by a London professor who was part of the research team.
Currently, those taking a pill for HIV take the medication daily which is not always easy or practical and leaves some who have not made their diagnosis widely known worried that someone like a parent or housemate could find the pills.
Now, an international clinical trial has found taking it weekly is just as effective.
According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency, external, about 39,750 people in London are living with HIV, of which about 1,250 are undiagnosed.
Stephen Hart from Brixton was diagnosed with HIV in 2006.
He said: “Every time I took my medication, I was reminded that I was living with HIV, and it was something that I was ashamed of.
“I knew other people had a stigma against it.
“So I think taking a tablet once a week instead of taking a tablet seven times a week will make a huge difference to people mentally.”