FDA Advisory Panel Recommends HIV Prevention Drug
By: NBC News
Updated: May 11, 2012
An FDA advisory panel has endorsed the first drug shown to prevent HIV infection in healthy people.
The panel voted 19-3 Thursday to approve Truvada for healthy patients who are at a high risk of contracting the disease through sexual intercourse. The vote now clears the way for a potentially landmark approval in the 30 year old battle against the AIDS epidemic.
Earlier this week, the agency backed data showing Truvada cut the risk of infection by 44 percent in gay or bisexual men and by 75 percent in heterosexual couples where on person was HIV positive. However, experts stressed that the drug was only effective if it was taken every day.
Truvada has been marketed since 2004 as a treatment for people who are already infected with HIV.
The FDA normally follows the panel's advice even though it is not required to do so. A final decision by the FDA is expected by June 15.
The panel voted 19-3 Thursday to approve Truvada for healthy patients who are at a high risk of contracting the disease through sexual intercourse. The vote now clears the way for a potentially landmark approval in the 30 year old battle against the AIDS epidemic.
Earlier this week, the agency backed data showing Truvada cut the risk of infection by 44 percent in gay or bisexual men and by 75 percent in heterosexual couples where on person was HIV positive. However, experts stressed that the drug was only effective if it was taken every day.
Truvada has been marketed since 2004 as a treatment for people who are already infected with HIV.
The FDA normally follows the panel's advice even though it is not required to do so. A final decision by the FDA is expected by June 15.
