The news that I read today about the new drug that is shown to prevent HIV sounds very encouraging. According to the Associated Press reported in the Los Angeles Times, on Friday, May 11, 2012, “The first drug shown to prevent HIV infection won the endorsement of an FDA advisory panel, clearing the way for a landmark approval in the 30 year fight against the virus that causes Aids.”

Truvada is the pill that the Food and Drug Administration recommended approval of for healing people who are at high risk of contracting HIV. A final discussion on this matter is expected by June 15 of this year (2012).

Although at the meeting, there were panelists who backed the use of Truvada for prevention of HIV, there were some concerns about this new drug.

It was debated whether Truvada might lead to reduced use of condoms, feeling that it won’t be needed anymore. This is a great concern because it is not a hundred per cent certain that this new drug will prevent HIV. It’s too new to know the effectiveness of this drug.

It is important for people who are on this drug, to take these pills every day. The other concern was will people remember to take these pills every day? Dr. Tom Giordano of Baylor College of Medicine, who voted in favor of this drug, has great hopes that this new drug will take effect.

The Associated Press went on to state “Truvada first made headlines in 2010 when government researchers showed it could prevent people from contracting HIV. A three year study found that daily doses cut the risk of infection in healthy gay and bisexual men by 42% when accompanies by condoms and counseling. Last year another study found that Truvada reduced infection by 75%.”

Critics of this new drug worry that it could give a false sense of security, and encourage risky behavior. Truvada sells for about $900.00 a month.

Hopefully, in the future, we will learn more about this drug.

Source: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times