STD Directors Applaud Potentially Revolutionary DoxyPEP Research  

New Innovation Points To A New Strategy To Help Clinicians Prevent Common Infections Before They Occur And Communities Halt Outbreaks Of Epidemic Sexually Transmitted Infections 

For Immediate Release: July 27, 2022  
Contact: Elizabeth Finley, efinley@ncsddc.org, 919-749-7309 

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, July 27, researchers released a new round of research demonstrating the efficacy and safety of DoxyPEP, a strategy for clinicians to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by providing the antibiotic doxycycline for patients at higher risk of contracting common STIs to take up to 72 hours after sex. Researchers presented their findings at AIDS 2022 during a press conference at 10am on Wednesday morning and will also present their full research on Friday.  David C. Harvey, Executive Director of the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), released the following statement:  

“The newest information on DoxyPEP gives us more evidence pointing to a safe and effective new strategy for preventing some of our most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These are the kinds of innovations clinicians, patients, and communities desperately need to help fight the epidemic of STIs in the United States.”  

Our current epidemic of STIs is a completely preventable by-product of an underfunded public health system, but it has been heightened by the generally slow pace of medical research. Our takeaway from the DoxyPEP study is that we are shifting toward a future where symptomatic infection and community spread could be totally unnecessary for some of our highest risk neighbors and patients. 

NCSD is working to update STI programs on this breaking news, and plans to convene its nationwide Clinic+ network and STD Directors to advise the CDC on the on-the-ground implications of this scientific advancement. We urge the CDC to immediately get this research into the hands of clinicians and update treatment guidelines so patients don’t have to wait for best-in-class care. We now know that these very common, safe medications have the power to protect patients and render these common and avoidable infections obsolete.”  

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