The first-ever daily pill to help prevent against HIV was approved
Monday by US regulators for use in uninfected adults who are at risk for
getting the virus that causes AIDS.
Truvada, made by Gilead Sciences in California, has been on the
market since 2004 and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration
for a new use as a tool to help ward off HIV in otherwise healthy
people, in combination with safe sex and regular testing.
The pill as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been hailed by some
AIDS experts as a potent new tool against human immunodeficiency virus,
but some health care providers are concerned it could encourage risky
sex behavior.
In addition, the regimen is estimated to cost around $14,000 per year, making it out of reach of many.
