Pill helps prevent HIV

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel recommended approval of Truvada, the first drug demonstrated to prevent HIV infection.

On May 10, FDA panelists voted in favor of the daily pill as treatment for people at high risk for contracting HIV—homosexual and bisexual men, and heterosexual couples with one infected partner, according to SFGate.com. Truvada has been on the market since 2004, and is typically used in combination with other drugs as treatment for HIV patients. Studies have found the pill helps reduce the risk of infection in gay and bisexual men by 42 percent, and 75 percent in heterosexual couples with one infected partner. To date, the drug has been far less effective for women.

A final decision is expected on June 15, and although the FDA is not required to side with the panel, it usually does.