FDA Approves First Drug Shown to Reduce Risk of HIV Infection

0 Posted by TheSwash.com - July 16, 2012 - Career & Business, Food, Beverage & Drugs, Medical, Science

A daily pill to protect people at risk of HIV from infection has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), potentially offering a new and powerful weapon in the battle against Aids.

The pill, Truvada, will be available in the US to people at extreme risk of HIV because their partners are infected. But at $14,000 (£9,000) a year, it will be expensive – even though far cheaper than a lifetime of treatment after infection – and those without health insurance are unlikely to get it.

However, in the long term, advocates hope it can be offered in Africa and other parts of the developing world.

CONTINUED at The Guardian.

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