The man who saved thousands of people from HIV

The HIV-Positive Man Who Saved Thousands from the Virus

In the vibrant streets of Belfast during the turbulent 1980s, Greg Owen stood out as the eldest of six children, growing up amidst the political chaos of the Troubles. His unapologetic identity as a gay man marked him as different, yet Greg was destined to play a remarkable role in shaping the future of HIV prevention.

Fast forward to 2015, Greg was living in London, drifting between bartending gigs and crashing on friends’ sofas. Life was tough, but it was about to take a dramatic turn when he met Alex Craddock.

Alex had just returned from New York, where he was using a revolutionary drug called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Taken before sex, PrEP was highly effective in preventing HIV, offering nearly 100% protection when used correctly. Greg was immediately intrigued and determined to get his hands on this life-saving medication.

But there was a catch. PrEP wasn’t available through the NHS in the UK, leaving Greg and many others at risk. Alex’s own supply was dwindling, and the urgency of the situation became all too real when Greg tested positive for HIV.

The Turning Point

Greg’s diagnosis hit hard. In that moment, staring at the two dots on the test strip confirming his status, he felt a world apart. Yet, rather than retreating into despair, he chose to take action.

In a bold and deeply personal move, Greg posted on Facebook, sharing his HIV status and introducing his followers to PrEP—a drug that could have changed his fate. His phone buzzed relentlessly with messages of support and curiosity. People wanted to know more about PrEP and, crucially, how they could get it.

Determined to prevent others from contracting HIV, Greg and Alex devised a daring plan. From Alex’s bedroom, they built a website: I Want PrEP Now. It provided vital medical information and directed users to online sources where they could purchase generic PrEP at a fraction of the cost.

A Grassroots Revolution

The website launched in October 2015, and the response was immediate. Within 24 hours, it garnered 400 hits, quickly growing into a beacon of hope for thousands.

Their efforts caught the attention of key players in the medical community, including Dr. Mags Portman, an NHS consultant specializing in HIV and sexual health, and Will Nutland, an activist from the PrEPster campaign. Together, they conducted tests on generic PrEP to ensure its safety and authenticity, bolstering the website’s credibility.

Meanwhile, the NHS hesitated. Despite clear evidence from the PROUD study that PrEP reduced new HIV infections by 86%, the organization stalled on funding the drug. The frustration among clinicians grew as they watched patients contract a preventable virus.

The Battle for NHS Approval

The turning point came in 2016 when the National AIDS Trust took NHS England to court, arguing that PrEP should be evaluated like any other life-saving treatment. The stakes were high, with HIV charities warning that delays were resulting in at least 17 new infections each day.

The NHS argued that funding prevention wasn’t its responsibility, but the court saw otherwise. The judge ruled in favor of PrEP access, a decision upheld on appeal. By the end of 2016, the NHS began rolling out a trial to provide PrEP to 10,000 people, marking a significant victory for public health.

A Legacy of Lives Saved

The impact was profound. HIV diagnosis rates among gay men began to plummet, with some London clinics reporting a 40% drop. Greg’s grassroots campaign had sparked a nationwide shift, saving countless lives.

Reflecting on the journey, Greg remains humble. “I just wanted one person to remain HIV negative because of my diagnosis,” he says. Instead, his efforts have safeguarded the health of thousands.