July 18, 2012 | Health Matters

FDA approves drug to reduce chance of HIV infection

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Truvada. This is the first drug believed to reduce the risk of HIV infection in uninfected individuals, and can will be used by those considered at high risk of HIV infection.

Truvada already had approval for use by HIV-positive people, used in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

"Today's approval marks an important milestone in our fight against HIV," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg. "Every year, about 50,000 U.S. adults and adolescents are diagnosed with HIV infection, despite the availability of prevention methods and strategies to educate, test, and care for people living with the disease. New treatments as well as prevention methods are needed to fight the HIV epidemic in this country.”

Truvada is by no means perfect. In trials it was found to reduce the risk of infection by 42 percent for sexually active HIV-negative men. A second trial examined heterosexual couples, in which one partner was negative and one was positive, and the results indicated a 75 percent reduction in risk of acquiring the illness.

We've still got a long way to go to beat HIV/AIDS, but this is a definite step in the right direction.  

Truvada: 5 Things to Know About the First Drug to Prevent HIV [TIME]