ImPrEP Project (initial phase)
The initial phase of the ImPrEP project was carried out in Brazil, Mexico and Peru, from 2018 to 2021, with the general objective of addressing strategic aspects regarding the implementation of oral and daily HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as public policy in the three countries, through the provision of pills during the first consultation.
ImPrEP CAB Brazil Project (current phase)
The current phase of the project has as its main highlight the ImPrEP CAB Brasil implementation study which aims, based on the good results obtained in the initial phase of the project, to continue offering oral prophylaxis, but also to present cabotegravir as an alternative to those interested in participating in the study. long-acting injectable – CAB LA (long action), also known as injectable PrEP.
The main objective is to generate scientific evidence on the possible inclusion of CAB-LA as another option for PrEP and combined prevention via the Unified Health System in Brazil. The current phase of the project was launched in the second half of 2022, with entry into operation in six ImPrEP CAB Brazil study centers from October 2023.
Target populations
ImPrEP CAB Brasil is initially being implemented with 1,200 participants who are gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), non-binary people, transvestites, women and HIV-negative trans men, aged 18 to 30, considered older populations. vulnerable to the virus. The project takes place in six public health services that offer prophylaxis, located in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, Campinas, Florianópolis and Manaus.
Those interested in using PrEP for the first time as a form of HIV prevention who go to these public health services will be able to choose between the oral and injectable modality, as long as they meet the inclusion criteria. To make this choice, they will receive specific information about each modality, aiming to know which one best suits their lifestyle, including mHealth content (digital health education tool) for some of the volunteers included in the project.
ImPrEP CAB Brasil is carried out by Fiocruz – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, through the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, with the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and has financial support from Unitaid. The project also has a partnership with the Peruvian University Caetano Heredia for specific actions.
What is CAB-LA?
CAB-LA was evaluated in two large studies (HPTN 083 and HPTN 084) carried out in North and South America, Asia and Africa, which proved its efficacy and safety for HIV prevention. CAB-LA was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 21, 2021, for PrEP to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of the virus. In Brazil, CAB -LA is in the process of being registered by Anvisa.