GMHC Lauds FDA's Approval of HIV Drug (Truvada) to Prevention New Infections

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the once-daily oral Truvada® in combination with safer sex practices, to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk. Truvada is the first drug to be approved for HIV prevention in uninfected adults, in the form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

"GMHC applauds the FDA decision on Truvada which will clear the way in making this new prevention tool available for adults at high risk of contracting HIV," said Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of GMHC. "PrEP drug development will be added to the vast array of HIV prevention tools including condoms, HIV testing and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Truvada as PrEP will clearly be one of the first iterations for Treatment as Prevention (TasP). While we do not have all the necessary information about how the public will respond and potentially utilize this medication for prevention, our clients, family members and loved ones deserve complete support to advance HIV prevention."

PrEP is a big step forward in the development of a range of prevention healthcare that each person who perceives themselves at-risk for contracting HIV may utilize in their cadre to protect his or her health.  HIV is a virus that when left untreated will ultimately kill each person it infects. GMHC adamantly supports the development of any tool that will treat the infected person or will hinder HIV-acquisition for an uninfected person. Each available tool helps stop HIV in its tracks. GMHC strongly agrees with President Obama and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy--working together, expanding testing and treatment, and building our prevention toolbox, we can achieve an AIDS-free generation.