Developed by, the medicine is injected bi-monthjly. Dr. Kimberly Smith, head of research and development, said this treatment was worth the wait.
鈥� I do think this is (a) game changing medicine, and if we can do something that changes the trajectory of the HIV pandemic, then my life's work will certainly feel worth it,鈥� she said.
Currently, the only PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication approved was a daily pill, which can be difficult to take consistently.
The shift from a bottle of more than 30 pills to a bi-monthly injection, allows individuals to receive an equal or a potentially better form of protection.
鈥�(This is) 3 to 9 times better than oral Truvada,鈥� Dr. Smith said, comparing the .
Tres Brown, a community manager with the Dallas-based , an agency that helps people living with HIV/AIDS, is excited about increasing accessibility to these drugs.
鈥淗aving an injectable option might mean they might adhere to it a little bit more, they need options because keeping up with your medication can be a little bit harder when you don鈥檛 have a regular place,鈥� Brown said.
Medical officials have found people of color are while also being the least studied during trial testing. Smith said it鈥檚 about trust.
鈥淲e had all of the community involved in it 鈥� it breaks all the myths that you can鈥檛 enroll a study and have appropriate representation from people of color, that stereotype has got to go,鈥� she said.
Apretude was studied in one of . The study included some of the largest numbers of transgender women and Black men who have sex with men, according to ViiV Healthcare.
鈥淚 feel thrilled that we have this product to bring to the U.S. to impact the U.S. epidemic,鈥� Smith said.
Now that Apretude has gotten the OK from the FDA, local clinics and qualified institutions may see distribution as soon as early 2022.
Got a tip? Email Solomon Wilson at swilson@kera.org. You can follow Solomon on Twitter .
