WHO endorses HIV drug use for prevention

NEW YORK – The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed the use of HIV medicines among people who are uninfected but are at high risk of getting the virus. WHO also suggested that poor and wealthy countries alike set up pilot projects to better understand the benefits of HIV preventive medicines.

WHO made its suggestion July 20, 2012, following US approval of the use of Truvada (Gilead Inc.) for people who are not infected but may engage in sexual activity with HIV-positive partners. The concept is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.

In a statement, the agency said that it is “encouraging countries wishing to introduce PrEP to first establish small projects to help public health workers to better understand and realize its potential benefits.” The agency also said that appropriate HIV medicines should be given to high-risk groups, which could include men or transgender women who have sex with men.

Truvada, which combines the anti-HIV drugs tenofovir and emtricitabine in a single pill, is widely used for the treatment of people already infected with the virus that causes AIDS. It is the first treatment also approved for prevention, and costs almost $14,000 a year in the United States.