There is “hope” that the HIV/AIDs epidemic could soon be over, Luke O’Neill has said. 

An estimated 42 million people have died from the disease since the first cases were reported in 1981. 

To this day, the UN estimates that one person dies from AIDs every single minute. 

People are queue outside a government clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa for HIV medication. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Despite this, there have been several important advances in HIV treatment and prevention over the years. 

“There’s a new drug - Lenacapavir it’s called,” Professor O’Neill explained to The Pat Kenny Show.  

“You take it twice a year… and it prevents you from getting HIV/AIDs as a preventative measure. 

“Because it’s twice a year, they’re thinking this could work. 

“You can imagine if loads of people take this, the virus won’t grow and develop.” 

Ireland

In 2016, the European Medicines Agency licenced Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for use in Ireland. 

If taken daily, the pill significantly reduces the chance of the person taking it contracting HIV. 

Professor O’Neill described PrEP as “the big breakthrough” and said it shares a number of key similarities with Lenacapavir. 

“[PReP] is every single day and that’s problematic; people don’t comply and so on,” he said. 

“Once they had that, they realised that if they could get one that’s longer lasting, this may have more success. 

“Now a big company, Gilead, they’re the ones behind this [with] nearly 20 years of research behind this.” 

Blood collection tube with HIV test label held by technician. Picture by: Alamy.com

Professor O’Neill described the results of the trial as “remarkable”.  

“There was 100% protection against catching HIV in one trial - that was done in Africa,” he said. 

“And in a second trial done in America and South America, 96%. 

“They’re remarkable numbers.” 

Closeup of a doctor with a red ribbon pinned on his coat in solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS. Picture by: Alamy

However, while the medicine might be effective, it is also extremely costly. 

“They’re saying it’s going to cost $28,000 a year,” Professor O’Neill said. 

“Now, the place that needs this, is the developing world; there’s a million cases every year of AIDs. 

“So, the question is how will they make that available? They’re talking to insurers and maybe the Gates Foundation. 

“But it’s essential that this drug gets to where it’s needed most - which, sadly, is in places that can’t afford it.” 

HIV testing kits can be ordered from the HSE free of charge.

Main image: Luke O’Neill in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk