FDA approves first pill to help prevent HIV

[Baitball Blogger]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection, a milestone in the 30-year battle against the virus that causes AIDS.

The agency approved Gilead Sciences' pill Truvada as a preventive measure for people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV, such as those who have sex with HIV-infected partners.

Gilead Sciences Inc. has marketed Truvada since 2004 as a treatment for people who are infected with the virus.

But company studies have shown the drug can prevent people from contracting HIV when used as a precautionary measure. A three-year study found that daily doses cut the risk of infection in healthy gay and bisexual men by 42 percent, when accompanied by condoms and counseling.

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20120716/cacac0f9-7e27-4625-9a97-f62f8cf36c1f

[Edweird]

1. Giggity! Now all we need is a vaccine for herpes.