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Foster Dismisses Talk Of
2019 PrEP Program A ‘Sea Change’ For Northern Ireland-Only Backstop

16th, Fighting HIV In Ireland Says Researcher Northern Ireland-only backstop and said she expects to meet
DUP leader Arlene Foster has dismissed speculation about a
October HIV preventative drug PrEP, report which found that PrEP in terms of being able to con- Boris Johnsonon Tuesday night.
“It’s a really big sea change
A researcher has said the
The UK proposed a plan that would see Northern Ireland
is safe and effective at pre-
| available from the start of venting HIV in people at sub- trol the epidemic and it also remain in the UK’s customs territory but operating the EU’s
rules and procedures on tariffs.
stantial risk.
puts that power to stop get-
next month, could mean “a
EXAMINER sea change” for tackling the that those who attend an ting HIV in the hands of peo- closed-door Brexit talks taking place between the EU and UK in
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said progress is being made in
The new program means
epidemic in Ireland.
ple who are at risk.
Brussels.
Dr Paddy Mallon, profes-
approved service and are
“It’s a very empowering
Mr Varadkar told reporters it is “unclear” if a new deal will
IRISH sor of microbial diseases in found to be at substantial risk thing to look after their sexu- be struck by Tuesday night.
for HIV will be eligible for
UCD and consultant in St
al health if you know that
He said the gap remains “quite wide” between the EU and
Vincent’s Hospital, said the
PrEP at no cost.
there is a way of avoiding
UK, particularly on the issue of customs arrangements on the
significant move is key to the The program provides contracting HIV. island of Ireland.
HIV prevention program. PrEP as part of a holistic serv- “We’ve seen a lot of proac- Ms Foster said any Brexit deal must respect the economic
The program will be rolled ice that includes frequent tive moves on behalf of gov- and constitutional place of Northern Ireland within the UK and
out across a number of STI monitoring for adherence and ernment to address this head that speculation about the backstop is “far off the mark”.
clinics from November 4 and side effects, testing for HIV on and I think for the first “When I hear talk of the Northern Ireland backstop as I did
will expand next year. and other STIs, and coun- time in a long time is one of in your headlines, I think the things are very far off the mark in
It comes following the selling and advice on safer sex the biggest moves at a policy terms of all of that,” she told RTÉ News.
commitment of funding of practices. level to address the HIV epi- “I think what is important to say is that we do want to get a
€5.4m in Budget 2020. Dr Mallon, who is also on demic. deal but it has to be a deal that respects the constitutional and
The announcement was the board of HIV Ireland, “At last we are seeing economic place of Northern Ireland within the United
made by Taoiseach Leo said: “It’s great to see this get- strong government moves to Kingdom and there has to be consent.
Varadkar, Minister for Health ting over the line. give the doctors, the commu- “There has to be consent which is in accordance with the
Simon Harris and Minister for “It’s a result of a three year nity and health workers the Belfast agreement, in other words there has to be consent from
Health Promotion Catherine process, where HIV Ireland ability to control the epidem- the nationalist community and the Unionist community and so
Byrne on Thursday. have been lobbying very ic. those things are very important,” she said.
In June, the Health heavily with sustained advo- “This could be a real sea When asked if she will be meeting Mr Johnson at Downing
Information and Quality cacy on behalf of the commu- change for the epidemic in Street, she said: “I’m sure we’ll be engaging with the Prime
Authority (HIQA) published a nity. Ireland.” C Minister this evening.”
When asked on BBC Northern Ireland’s Newsline if the
DUP would support a border in the Irish sea, she said: “No, we
must remain within the UK’s customs union. It is a principle
we have and that will forever be there. We have to be integral-
ly within the UK.”
“I think there’s been a huge amount of speculation since the
Taoiseach met with Boris Johnson last Thursday. Some of it is
so far off the mark, you can’t see the mark anymore to be quite
honest with you,” she said.
“What is important is that we stick to our principles, we get
a deal that respects the economic and constitutional integrity of
the United Kingdom and that means all of the United Kingdom
and Northern Ireland included.” C
Irish Government Considering Limiting
Sale Of Vaping Products To Minors

The government is to consider restricting the sale of vaping
products to minors and prohibiting advertising.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that any changes to legislation
on e-cigarettes will be based on scientific advice and what is
advised by public health doctors and experts.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin claimed the vaping indus-
try is targeting children and young people through colorful and
flavored vaping products and ads.
Mr Martin accused the industry of trying to “hook” young
people to get them addicted to nicotine through the vaping
devices.
He claimed these strategies mirrored the ones used by the
tobacco industry.
“The financial muscle behind this epidemic is provided by
the tobacco industry,” Mr Martin added.
“Children are being targeted, with colorful and flavored vap-
ing products, in the country’s shopping centers, and main
streets or locations for pop up shops selling vaping devices, and
e-cigarettes.
“Ad campaigns have proliferated nearly every Dublin bus, as
well as strategically placed billboards all over Dublin and across
the cities and the towns.
“There’s been an unacceptable level of youth usage of these
products.” C