The hiv prevention drug PrEP should be included in the basic Dutch health insurance policy, according to the Health Council which recommends what the standard package should cover.

Despite encouraging the use of condoms, regular tests and early treatment, there are some 800 new infections of hiv a year in the Netherlands, the council said.

‘PrEP can help reduce this still further,’ the council said. ‘It is important that the right target group (men who have sex with men) is reached and that they do take the drug.’

The council also says that the inclusion of PrEP in the basic health package should be reassessed after five years.