The Washington Post | By Brian Vastag
For the first time in the 30-year battle against the HIV epidemic, a panel
of experts has recommended that the Food and Drug Administration approve a drug
to give to healthy people to protect against the infection.
The panel recommended Thursday that the agency approve the drug Truvada for
preventing HIV in men who have sex with men, HIV-negative partners of
HIV-postive people and “other individuals at risk for acquiring HIV through
sexual activity.”
The FDA is considering the use of Truvada for healthy people to prevent the
contraction of HIV. Dr. Jon LaPook reports on the revolutionary prevention
pill. The FDA usually follows the advice of its advisory committees, which are
made up of experts from outside the agency, although it does not have to. Its
decision is expected by June 15.