http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC120717-0000081/FDA-approves-first-pill-to-help-prevent-HIV
The agency approved Gilead Sciences' pill Truvada as a preventive measure for healthy people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity, such as those who have HIV-infected partners. The decision comes less than two weeks after the agency approved another landmark product: The first over-the-counter HIV test that Americans can use in the privacy of their homes.
The two developments are seen as the biggest steps in years toward curbing the spread of HIV in the US, 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. And it is estimated that one-fifth, or about 240,000 people, are unaware that they are infected.
Gilead Sciences said yesterday that it would keep the pill at its current price, nearly US$14,000 (S$17,700) per year. Even at that price, HIV physicians said the drug could be cost effective if it prevents people from contracting the virus.
"It is expensive, but on the other hand it's far cheaper than a lifetime of HIV treatment," said Dr Joel Gallant of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "So if there are people who will not use condoms but are willing to use this, then for those people it's cost effective."
The lifetime cost of treating one person diagnosed with the AIDS virus has been estimated at more than US$600,000
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