First HIV Prevention Drug Backed By FDA Panel

Santa Barbara- For the first time, a panel of U.S. health experts has backed a drug to prevent HIV infection in healthy people. The Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommends the approval of the daily pill, Truvada, for use by people considered at high risk for contracting the aids virus.Truvada is already on the market. In fact it’s in very wide use for the treatment of HIV. But now it could become the first drug approved for prevention. A major advance on how this drug will be used.The drug, which runs about 11,000 dollars a year, is targeted at groups considered high risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity. But there are concerns including fears of a drug-resistant strain of the virus. There’s also concern that it could spark a behavior change, giving people a false sense of security. Experts say the drug could revolutionize the way HIV is prevented, and could help save millions of lives. The FDA is not required to follow the panel’s advice, but it usually doesA final decision on the drug is expected June 15th.KEY News Reporter Shirin Rajaee reports.