Greg Owen (activist)

Last updated

Greg Owen is a UK-born activist who started a website to make generic pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) accessible to prevent HIV infection.

Contents

Early life

Owen was the eldest of six children; he grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. [1] He attended a drama college in London, from which he graduated in 2001. [2]

PrEP advocacy

Owen has been called "one of the U.K.’s most vocal proponents of PrEP", [2] describing himself as the "poster boy for PrEP in the UK". [3] In 2015, Owen met Alex Craddock, who was taking PrEP obtained while living in New York. While PrEP was accessible in the US, it was not yet available in the UK. Owen was interested in taking PrEP, so he first went to take an HIV test. The test confirmed that he was positive for the virus. Owen was frustrated that PrEP, which could have prevented him from getting the virus, was not widely available for sale in the UK. [1]

Owen and Craddock launched a website in October 2015, I Want Prep Now, so that others would have the opportunity to buy PrEP. [1] Through their site, customers could purchase a generic version of the drug Truvada for a tenth of the cost—around US$67 per month. At the time, only one clinic in the UK was able to legally distribute the drug, costing $700 for a month's supply. [4]

British sexual health specialist Mags Portman heard about Owen's website, and got in contact with him. Owen decided that his website and PrEP outreach needed credibility and visibility; he described its early days as "the blind leading the blind". Portman sought the opinion of the General Medical Council, which directed that a clinician's responsibility was to provide the best care for their patients, regardless of what was commissioned. Sexual health clinics began offering blood and urine tests to those purchasing the generic PrEP to provide assurance that they were buying the real drug instead of dummy pills. [5]

I Want Prep Now grew continuously in web traffic as the National Health Service's (NHS) decision not to fund PrEP went through legal challenges. [5] HIV-related charities began to coordinate their actions against the NHS in a series of meetings. Owen was the only activist invited to these meetings, as "every HIV specialist knew that he was the main link to thousands of people wanting the drug". [6] By the time the NHS lost in the High Court of Justice to the National AIDS Trust in August 2016, I Want Prep Now was receiving 12,000 unique visitors each month. [5]

HIV researcher Sheena McCormack credits Owen with helping decrease the number of HIV diagnoses in the UK. From 2015–2016, the number of new diagnoses in London had decreased by 40%, while around the UK it was decreased by around a third. Owen recalls McCormack saying to him, "There are thousands of people who didn’t become HIV-positive this year because of you." [5]

Despite the NHS decision being overturned, meaning that they now fund PrEP, Owen stated that in 2018, 10,000 people in the UK are purchasing generic prep online because they cannot get it through the NHS. [7]

The People Vs The NHS: Who Gets The Drugs?

Pulse Films and Open University collaborated to create The People Vs The NHS: Who Gets The Drugs?, a 2018 documentary on the legal battle to make the NHS fund PrEP after their 2016 decision not to do so. Owen is featured at the "heart of the story". [8] The documentary was co-produced by the BBC to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS. [9]

Awards and honors

In 2016, activist and blogger Mark S. King named Owen as one of his 16 "HIV Advocates to Watch". [10] In 2017 he was named a recipient of the first Life+ Award from Life Ball along with Will Nutland. [11] [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safe sex</span> Ways to reduce the risk of acquiring STIs

Safe sex is sexual activity using methods or contraceptive devices to reduce the risk of transmitting or acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially HIV. "Safe sex" is also sometimes referred to as safer sex or protected sex to indicate that some safe sex practices do not eliminate STI risks. It is also sometimes used colloquially to describe methods aimed at preventing pregnancy that may or may not also lower STI risks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMHC</span> New York City–based non-profit AIDS service organization

The GMHC is a New York City–based non-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based AIDS service organization whose mission statement is to "end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected." Founded in 1982, it is often billed as the "world's oldest AIDS service organization," as well as the "nation's oldest HIV/AIDS service organization."

Post-exposure prophylaxis, also known as post-exposure prevention (PEP), is any preventive medical treatment started after exposure to a pathogen in order to prevent the infection from occurring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilead Sciences</span> American pharmaceutical company

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is an American biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Foster City, California that focuses on researching and developing antiviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, and COVID-19, including ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and sofosbuvir. Gilead is a member of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and the S&P 500.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AIDS Healthcare Foundation</span> Nonprofit organization in Los Angeles

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and advocacy services. As of 2022, it operates about 400 clinics, 69 outpatient healthcare centers, 62 pharmacies, and 22 Out of the Closet thrift stores across 15 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 45 countries, with more than 5,000 employees, and provides care to more than 1.8 million patients. The organization's aim is to end the AIDS epidemic by ensuring access to quality healthcare, including HIV and STD testing, prescription of medications like Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and referrals to specialty pharmacies. AHF is the largest provider of PrEP in the United States, though its founder Michael Weinstein has received criticism for his past opposition to the drug.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emtricitabine/tenofovir</span> Drug combination for HIV/AIDS prophylaxis and treatment

Emtricitabine/tenofovir, sold under the brand name Truvada among others, is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS. It contains the antiretroviral medications emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. For treatment, it must be used in combination with other antiretroviral medications. For prevention before exposure, in those who are at high risk, it is recommended along with safer sex practices. It does not cure HIV/AIDS. Emtricitabine/tenofovir is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS</span> Spectrum of conditions caused by HIV infection

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. It can be managed with treatment. Without treatment it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention</span> HIV prevention strategy using preventative medication for HIV-negative individuals

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention, commonly known as PrEP, is a form of medication used to prevent HIV infection, the cause of HIV/AIDS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darunavir</span> Antiretroviral medication

Darunavir (DRV), sold under the brand name Prezista among others, is an antiretroviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS. It is generally recommended for use with other antiretrovirals. It is often used with low doses of ritonavir or cobicistat to increase darunavir levels. It may be used for prevention after a needlestick injury or other potential exposure. It is taken by mouth once to twice a day.

HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981. As of year-end 2018, 160,493 people have been diagnosed with HIV in the United Kingdom and an estimated 7,500 people are living undiagnosed with HIV. New diagnoses are highest in gay/bisexual men, with an estimated 51% of new diagnosis reporting male same-sex sexual activity as the probable route of infection. Between 2009 and 2018 there was a 32% reduction in new HIV diagnosis, attributed by Public Health England (PHE) to better surveillance and education. PHE has described an "outbreak" in Glasgow amongst people who inject drugs, and has campaigns targeting men who have sex with men in London and other major cities. London was the first city in the world to reach the World Health Organization target for HIV, set at 90% of those with HIV diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed on HAART and 90% of those on HAART undetectable. The UK as a whole later achieved the same target. Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their HIV status in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in Russia</span> Situation around HIV/AIDS in Russia

The situation with the spread of HIV/AIDS in Russia is described by some researchers as an epidemic. The first cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection were recorded in the USSR in 1985-1987. Patient zero is officially considered to be a military interpreter who worked in Tanzania in the early 1980s and was infected by a local man during sexual contact. After 1988—1989 Elista HIV outbreak, the disease became known to the general public and the first AIDS centers were established. In 1995-1996, the virus spread among injecting drug users (IDUs) and soon expanded throughout the country. By 2006, HIV had spread beyond the vulnerable IDU group, endangering their heterosexual partners and potentially the entire population.

The history of HIV/AIDS in Australia is distinctive, as Australian government bodies recognised and responded to the AIDS pandemic relatively swiftly, with the implementation of effective disease prevention and public health programs, such as needle and syringe programs (NSPs). As a result, despite significant numbers of at-risk group members contracting the virus in the early period following its discovery, Australia achieved and has maintained a low rate of HIV infection in comparison to the rest of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in Canada</span>

HIV/AIDS was first detected in Canada in 1982. In 2018, there were approximately 62,050 people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. It was estimated that 8,300 people were living with undiagnosed HIV in 2018. Mortality has decreased due to medical advances against HIV/AIDS, especially highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

The National AIDS Trust is a United Kingdom charity with the purpose to stand alongside and defend the rights of everyone living with, affected by or at risk of HIV. Its expertise, research and advocacy secure lasting change to the lives of people living with and at risk of HIV. The charity's key strategic goals are:

Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS or serophobia is the prejudice, fear, rejection, and stigmatization of people with HIV/AIDS. Marginalized, at-risk groups such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, intravenous drug users, and sex workers are most vulnerable to facing HIV/AIDS discrimination. The consequences of societal stigma against PLHIV are quite severe, as HIV/AIDS discrimination actively hinders access to HIV/AIDS screening and care around the world. Moreover, these negative stigmas become used against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the form of stereotypes held by physicians.

National AIDS Trust v NHS Commissioning Board, [2016] EWHC 2005 (Admin), was a court case before the High Court of Justice seeking judicial review regarding National Health Service funding for pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Margaret Denise Portman was a British medical doctor who specialised in sexual health. She was an advocate for pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) to prevent new HIV cases.

In January 2018, the provincial government of British Columbia (BC) began providing individuals at high risk of HIV infection with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) at no cost. High risk individuals include men and trans women who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and people who have sex with people living with HIV. One year following this policy change, which is delivered as part of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE)'s Drug Treatment Program, almost 3,300 people have been prescribed with PrEP or PEP.

Ready, Set, PrEP is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides free access to the HIV prevention medication PrEP for thousands of qualifying individuals. The program is a key component of Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) initiative to expand access to PrEP and reduce new HIV diagnoses in the U.S.

HIV Scotland is a registered charitable organisation based in Edinburgh, Scotland, established in 1995 as Scottish Voluntary HIV & AIDS Forum, that works to make policy and advocacy changes for people living with HIV in Scotland, PrEP users, and people at risk of HIV.

References

  1. 1 2 3 de Castella, Tom (28 June 2018). "The HIV-positive man who stopped thousands getting the virus". BBC. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  2. 1 2 Leonard, John Francis (7 December 2018). "Universal Access: How One HIV-Positive Man, Greg Owen, Became a Global Spokesperson for PrEP". a&u. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  3. ↑ Owen, Greg (21 February 2017). "PrEP and HIV: a personal story". The Naked Scientists. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  4. ↑ Heitz, David (9 November 2015). "How One Activist Is Spearheading PrEP Awareness in the United Kingdom". HIV Equal. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Strudwick, Patrick (25 February 2017). "Meet The Man Who Stopped Thousands Of People Becoming HIV-Positive". Buzzfeed. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  6. ↑ Blakemore, Erin (4 March 2017). "Social Networks Have Always Battled HIV/AIDS". Longreads. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Owen, Greg (1 December 2018). "We know exactly how to prevent HIV, yet people are still dying of Aids because of our privileged complacency". Independent. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  8. ↑ "The People Vs The NHS: Who Gets The Drugs?". BBC. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  9. ↑ Middleditch, Kate (20 June 2018). "Happy Birthday NHS! Three OU/BBC programmes mark 70th anniversary". The Open University. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  10. ↑ Plus Editors (5 January 2016). "16 HIV Advocates to Watch in 2016". Plus. Retrieved 25 March 2019.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  11. ↑ "LIFE BALL 2018". Redline. 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  12. ↑ "THE LIFE+ AWARD". LIFE+. 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.