FDA approves new drug to prevent HIV infection

The Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for certain adults and adolescents who do not have HIV but are at risk for infection from sex. The drug, Descovy, previously was approved for use with other antiretoviral drugs to treat HIV infection in adults and pediatric patients. “PrEP drugs are highly effective when taken as indicated in the drug labeling and can prevent HIV infection,” said Jeffrey Murray, M.D., deputy director for the division of antiviral products at FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “This approval provides more prevention options for certain patients at-risk for acquiring HIV.”