The HIV treatment revolution continues as doctors announce the results of two separate trials of a once-a-month injection designed to treat the virus. In short, things look good.
The news came at an HIV research conference in Seattle in early March. ViiV Healthcare announced that an extended release injection works just as well as a once-a-day pill in neutralizing the virus. The study also found that the participants preferred a once a month injection to the routine of taking a pill every day.
Related: US government concludes that HIV is untransmittable at undetectable levels
Dr. John Pottage Jr., Chief Medical Officer for ViiV, remarked: “If approved, this [treatment] would give people living with HIV one month between each dose of antiretroviral therapy, changing HIV treatment from 365 dosing days per year, to just 12.” He added that additional trials will continue to move forward.
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Of the new findings, Kat Smithson of National AIDS Trust added: “The potential for HIV to be successfully treated with an injection repeated every month, rather than pills taken every day, could be life-enhancing for many people. Although we are some way off this treatment being available to patients, we are excited about the potential for this to improve life for people living with HIV.”
The report also brings hope to users of PrEP, the once-a-day pill regimen designed at preventing transmission of HIV, as the same treatment could also prove effective as a form of prophylaxis.
jsmnyny24
Terrific news.
Ojo
Great news. I hope it becomes available very soon
1898
assuming this gets approved, the big question is whether insurance companies will pay for it. it will almost certainly be more expensive than pills
Vince
Now that’s a very practical kind of good news. A real game changer. Good for both hiv-positive and people on Prep.
M K
If approved and readily available it will give even more of an allusion that HIV is not a disease and potential for passing on the virus.
Vince
Oh yeah. Just like seat belts cause everyone to drive recklessly.
Aromaeus
Yeah I worry about the cost even with insurance. My sister had to get weekly allergy shots for a while and they charged her a $60 co-pay every visit so she stopped going because it got too costly. Even if this was $60 a month that would be hard for those from low income communities seeking treatment. Not counting the cost for the visit which I would assume would be a specialist visit.
calpoidog
Oftentimes these are self-administered and will come in a “pen” pre-dosed form so perhaps that will be the case, cause you’re right, if you need to add a Dr’s visit into the mix it may not be worth it. Most internal med Drs are now the primary care providers for HIV+ so probably will just be your regular Dr. (or assistant) to administer if not self-administered.
Frankly if I had to go to a Dr’s office once a month, the “convenience” would no longer be present and I’d rather take a daily pill.
ShortBearBHam
While great news the cure is a treatment made up of a bone marrow match with a person who is also HIV resistant. We need a real cure that works for everyone as a price insurance will pay