FDA approves first pill to help prevent HIV

[MindMover]

Source: MSNBC

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Monday 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 through sexual activity, such as those who have HIV-infected partners.

Public health advocates say the approval could help slow the spread of HIV, which has held steady at about 50,000 new infections per year for the last 15 years. An estimated 1.2 million Americans have HIV, which develops into AIDS unless treated with antiviral drugs.

With an estimated 240,000 HIV carriers unaware of their status, doctors and patients say new methods are needed to fight the spread of the virus.

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

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48198452/ns/health-aids/?

[Occulus]

1. Thirty years, and only one person medically cured.

We need a Manhattan Project-style push on this one.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. Hmm. I'm of mixed feelings on this.

1) Truvada ain't exactly cheap.

2) If someone does get infected and has taken this regularly, they could find themselves in a situation that causes resistance to the two drugs in the combo.

3) It is not without side effects.

I've been taking it as part of my HIV combo (with Sustiva) for the better part of a decade and it is a good drug for suppression of viral load.

I am glad of any case of HIV being prevented, but this seems like a marketing idea more than a health care idea.

[LACarMan]

5. I deleted my post down thread.

I think you said it better than me. This looks like marketing.

I will add, and I am sure some will disagree, that it may add a false sense of security.

[Tx4obama]

3. Bump. n/t