Promise of monthly oral pill sparks renewed interest in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
The 26th International AIDS Conference highlighted a renewed scientific interest in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV. Researchers are exploring the potential for a monthly oral pill to improve prevention outcomes following potential exposure.
Why it matters
Advancements in PEP could provide a critical safety net for HIV prevention, potentially reducing infection rates if the new delivery methods prove effective.
An unexpected but welcome development at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) in Rio was the reappearance of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV as a subject for scientific study and funding.
PEP involves taking an antiretroviral drug or regimen as soon as possible after an exposure to HIV to stop it turning into an infection, whereas pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) involves taking it in advance of a possible exposure. See aidsmap’s summary for more information .
PEP is the oldest drug-based HIV prevention method, dating back to the late 1980s, when zidovudine (AZT) was recommended for healthcare staff who may have been exposed to HIV at work – what’s known as occupational exposure. By the early 2000s, two- or three-drug regimens were recommended, usually based on standard oral PrEP (tenofovir / emtricitabine) plus a third agent.
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