Guidelines for new HIV drug still to be set
The KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for TB and HIV says guidelines around the use of a drug to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV still need to be established.
The drug known as Truvada was approved recently by the Medicines Control Council.
Professor Thumbi Ndung’u says questions remain around access to and use of the drug.
''I think the next step is going to be for the government to come up with strict guidelines about how this drug should be used and how it should be rolled out in the general population.
''Also who should use it? And what kind of medical tests should they do before using the drug?'' he said.
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Ndung'u says adherence to the drug is vital.
''You can't take it on and off, you need to take it as recommended by a medical practitioner. If you take it as recommended by a practitioner, it can significantly reduce the risk of HIV acquisition,'' he said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)