Thousands more people at high risk of catching HIV in England are to be given a controversial prevention pill, if plans go ahead.
Currently, PrEP - branded a 'promiscuity pill' by critics but a 'game-changer' by supporters - is only available for up to 13,000 people signed up to a trial.
However, NHS England has today backed calls for it to double in size, allowing 26,000 people considered to be at risk of HIV to access the drug.
The announcement follows stark warnings that scores of gay and bisexual men would be turned away from the trial because it was filling up so quickly.
Charities have welcomed the move, claiming pre-exposure prophylaxis, as it is known in full, has a 'crucial role' to play in ending new HIV infections in the UK.
Currently, PrEP - branded a 'promiscuity pill' by critics but a 'game-changer' by supporters - is only available for up to 13,000 people signed up to a trial
PrEP is available on the NHS in Scotland and Wales – but the same is not true in England.
The researchers behind the ongoing PrEP trial made an official request to the NHS, urging them to increase participation.
They said the speed of recruitment and demand for the drug has significantly exceeded initial expert predictions.
NHS England has now publically backed the plans, which will be discussed later this month. It said it would fund the additional places.
PrEP is a daily tablet called Truvada, which contains two anti-retroviral drugs - tenofovir and emtricitabine.
They work together to interfere with an enzyme which HIV uses to infect new cells, slowing down the virus' attack or preventing it altogether.
The drug, which costs £45 privately for a month's supply, is designed for people that have not yet been exposed to the virus.
John Stewart, director of specialised commissioning at NHS England said it 'will play its part in delivering on the recommendation'.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, an MP for Brighton, was the lead signatory on the letter to public health minister Steve Brine. Mr Russell-Moyle, 32, last month announced in Parliament he has been living with HIV for a decade
Debbie Laycock, head of policy and public affairs at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'We fully support the request and welcome NHS England's commitment.
'Now every effort must be made by all parties to ensure access to these
