UPDATE: National gay organizations call on MDCH to take action on n-PEP policy

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force on Tuesday called on the Michigan Department of Community Health to heed the calls for action on its delayed n-PEP policy.

“Despite a lack of attention to HIV in recent years, state and local municipalities must recognize that HIV continues to be a significant, life-threatening condition that affects the entire community and disproportionately burdens gay and bisexual men,” said Rev. Darlene R. Nipper, deputy executive director of NGLTF. “Delaying the n-PEP policy or not adopting and communicating the CDC’s recommendations regarding n-PEP means endangering the lives of real people in the community. The President’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for use of n-PEP and urges local jurisdictions to follow the CDC recommendations. We urge the state of MI to heed the messages and voices of National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the CDC, Equality Michigan and other advocates who have called for immediate action and no more delays in enacting existing CDC n-PEP procedures and stand up a Michigan specific n-PEP policy. Our community members’ lives depend on it.”

The specific protocol being called for is a shortened term for non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis. This is the use of anti-retroviral medications within 72-hours of an exposure or likely exposure to HIV through sexual contact or intravenous drug use. The procedure was approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005, and nearly a year ago, Michigan Messenger reported on the lack of a cohesive statewide policy on n-PEP. The day that story was published, Amna Osman, director of the MDCH’s Division of Health, Wellness and Disease Control, told Messenger that the department would have a policy in place “early” in 2010.

As reported Tuesday, MDCH still has not approved a final policy — with a draft the department declines to release to the public — currently being reviewed by the legal department at the health department.

NGLTF is not the only national organization weighing in on the policy controversy. Get Equal, a new grassroots gay rights advocacy group best known for its public demonstrations in support repealing the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy of the U.S. military also weighed in.

“This is exactly the problem with our government and sadly, in this case, it literally is life vs. death,” says Robin McGhee, co-director of the group. “Many forget that Obama’s Administration could be pushing for much more than just funding for HIV/AIDS – and, this is a prime example of the efforts that are needed to push these types of developments to get legs. Sadly, right now, it seems like more of the same as we wait for this development to get the attention it needs.”

“The Michigan Department of Community Health’s legal team is in the process of thoroughly reviewing our drafted policy to ensure they are in sync with the CDC guidelines,” said MDCH spokesman James McCurtis in a written statement responding to the NGLTF statement. “Meanwhile, the CDC guildelines for nPEP are available for all health providers. Those guidelines give all health providers, across the state and across the country, the necessary guidance a physician needs to administer nPEP.”