FDA approves the world’s only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV
WASHINGTON AP The U S has approved the world s only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV maker Gilead Sciences publicized Wednesday It s the first step in an anticipated global rollout that could protect millions although it s unclear how numerous in the U S and abroad will get access to the powerful new option While a vaccine to prevent HIV still is needed particular experts say the shot a drug called lenacapvir could be the next best thing It nearly eliminated new infections in two groundbreaking studies of people at high liability better than daily preventive pills they can forget to take This really has the possibility of ending HIV transmission declared Greg Millett population framework director at amfAR The Foundation for AIDS Research Condoms help guard against HIV infection if used properly but what s called PrEP regularly using preventive medicines such as the daily pills or a different shot given every two months is increasingly vital Lenacapavir s six-month protection makes it the longest-lasting type an option that could attract people wary of more frequent expert visits or stigma from daily pills But upheaval in U S healthcare including cuts to inhabitants soundness agencies and Medicaid and slashing of American foreign aid to fight HIV are clouding the prospects Millett declared gaping holes in the system in the U S and globally are going to make it formidable for us to make sure we not only get lenacapavir into people s bodies but make sure they come back even as little as twice a year Gilead s drug already is sold to treat HIV under the brand name Sunlenca The prevention dose will be sold under a different name Yeztugo It s given as two injections under the skin of the abdomen leaving a small depot of medication to slowly absorb into the body Gilead didn t instantly announce its price The drug only prevents HIV transmission it doesn t block other sexually transmitted diseases Global efforts at ending the HIV pandemic by have stalled There still are more than new infections in the U S each year and about million worldwide Only about Americans already use a few form of PrEP a fraction of those estimated to benefit A up-to-date analysis determined states with high use of PrEP saw a decrease in HIV infections while rates continued rising elsewhere About half of new infections are in women who often need protection they can use without a partner s knowledge or consent One rigorous inquiry in South Africa and Uganda compared more than sexually progressing young women and teen girls given twice-yearly lenacapavir or the daily pills There were no HIV infections in those receiving the shot while about in the comparison group caught HIV from infected sex partners A second analysis detected the twice-yearly shot nearly as effective in gay men and gender-nonconforming people in the U S and in several other countries hard-hit by HIV Ian Haddock of Houston had tried PrEP off and on since but he jumped at the chance to participate in the lenacapavir research and continues with the twice-yearly shots as part of the research follow-up Now I forget that I m on PrEP because I don t have to carry around a pill bottle commented Haddock who leads the Normal Anomaly Initiative a nonprofit serving Black LGBTQ communities Men women gay straight it really just kinds of expands the opportunity for prevention he added Just remembering a clinic visit every six months is a powerful tool versus constantly having to talk about like condoms constantly making sure you re taking your pill every day Everyone in every country who s at danger of HIV necessities access to PrEP added Dr Gordon Crofoot of Houston who helped lead the evaluation in men We need to get easier access to PrEP that s highly effective like this is The Associated Press Vitality and Science Department receives aid from the Howard Hughes Health Institute s Department of Science Guidance and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The AP is solely responsible for all content Source
