New Drug Promises to Prevent HIV

FDA favors first drug for HIV prevention

Federal drug regulators on Tuesday affirmed landmark study results showing that a popular HIV-fighting pill can also help healthy people avoid contracting the virus that causes AIDS in the first place. While the pill appears safe and effective for prevention, scientists stressed that it only works when taken on a daily basis.

The Food and Drug Administration will hold a meeting Thursday to discuss whether Truvada should be approved for people who are at risks of contracting HIV through sexual intercourse. The agency's positive review posted Tuesday suggests the daily pill will become the first drug approved to prevent HIV infection in high-risk patients.

FDA reviewers conclude that taking Truvada pre-emptively could spare patients "infection with a serious and life-threatening illness that requires lifelong treatment."

I hate to be Debby Downer, but here's my problem with this.  To think you need this drug means you have to know what high risk behavior spreads HIV, not be willing to quit said behavior, and have the discipline to take the drug daily.   Good luck with that.