WASHINGTON – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday approved a twice-yearly injection to prevent HIV. This development is hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against the sexually transmitted virus.
Drugs to prevent HIV transmission, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP, have existed for more than a decade. However, since they typically require taking a daily pill, they have struggled to make a significant dent in global infections.
This is described as a historic day in the decades-long fight against HIV.
The new drug, marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent in adults and adolescents, making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine.
However, optimism may be tempered by the drug’s expected high price tag.
While specific prices have not been disclosed, analysts estimate the US launch price could be as high as $25,000 per year.
Activists are calling for the price to be slashed to $25 per person annually to help end the HIV pandemic.
The approval also comes at a time
