Politics & Government

FDA Panel Approves HIV Prevention Drug

The estimated cost is about $900 a month, according to media reports.

 

For the past eight years, Truvada has been marketed as a drug to help treat patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The drug is a combination of two drugs called Emtriva and Viread.

On Thursday, the Silver Spring-based FDA panel approved the drug as a prevention method, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report.

Find out what's happening in Silver Springwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In 2010, an initial three-year study released showed it could prevent the risk of contracting HIV by 42 percent in healthy gay and bisexual men. In 2011, the risk for heterosexual couples was reduced by 75 percent.

Experts who spoke during the session, which included doctors, nurses, and patients advised that the pill be taken as a daily regimen to be most effective.

Find out what's happening in Silver Springwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The final FDA approval is expected on June 15.

Discussion:  If a drug like this is available on the market, do you think it will take the place of condoms?

 

 


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