Pill to prevent HIV gets an FDA endorsement

[steve2470]

Source: AP

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The first drug shown to prevent HIV infection won the endorsement of an FDA advisory panel Thursday, clearing the way for a landmark approval in the 30-year fight against the virus that causes AIDS.

The Food and Drug Administration panel recommended approval of the daily pill Truvada for healthy people who are at high risk of contracting HIV, including gay and bisexual men and heterosexual couples with one HIV-positive partner.

The FDA is not required to follow the panel's advice, but it usually does. A final decision is expected by June 15.

Gilead Sciences, based in Foster City, Calif., has marketed Truvada since 2004 as a treatment for people who are infected with the virus.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-na-fda-hiv-20120511,0,5295464.story

[appleannie1]

1. Great news. Hopefully the GOP does not make it so expensive that only the rich can afford it.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

3. "Truvada sells for about $900 a month, or just under $11,000 per year."

Too late. Big pharma beat them to it.

[BattyDem]

2. How long before the theocrats complain about it violating their religious freedom?

"HIV is punishment for sex and it's God's will that you die. We shouldn't have to pay for something that allows you to have sex without the possibility of death! This is an attack on our beliefs!!!!"

[Suji to Seoul]

4. counting down now. . .5, 4, 3, 2. . .

[bottom line]

5. THE ABSURDITY

READ the article
for $11,000.00, it reduces risks 42%, when used with condoms & 75 per cent when one partner is positive. You can now pay to have less than 50-50.
The absurdity
The cure will come from Europe, my perception is from something from the sea, not from this for profit 1% maxed on medicated country.
Been milking & killing us so long they think we've gotten used to it & are stupid. Oh yes we'll pay $11,000.00 for 42 %. ____ You!

[MADem]

6. It's not "the answer," and it is "too expensive" and it's "50-50" in terms of effectiveness...

...but all that said, it's progress.

Many of us can remember when this disease was first (rather badly) understood, and the public was paranoid about "the AIDS"--it was gonna kill us all, you could get it from a water fountain, a mosquito, that suspicious fellow in the corner coughing!!! Abandon hope, all ye! The 20th Century plague had arrived! There are a few pills that you can take for a bit, but you're screwed! You'll get skinny, have scabs, you'll croak, and that will be that--The End!!! Fire up the movies and TV specials!

Then, people started "living with" HIV. Magic Johnson was the "miracle guy," and then we got to know others. Then they weren't just living, they started doing pretty well. The terror started to recede. It still wasn't a great diagnosis, but it was no longer a death sentence.

That said, this is one disease I'd love to see eradicated, prevented, cured. Every step forward--even the less-than-optimal ones-- is a good one.

[sarcasmo]

7. After reading the article again, who will be able to afford this pill?

[uppityperson]

8. Rec for it's a start, unrec for who can afford it, rec again for good. Maybe more will come of it.