Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Injection Helps Women Avoid HIV Infection
The New York Times: Shot To Prevent H.I.V. Works Better Than Daily Pill In Women
A single shot given every two months has proved to be more effective than a daily pill at preventing H.I.V. in women, researchers reported on Monday, an advance that medical experts hailed as groundbreaking in the fight against the deadly virus that causes AIDS. The finding that the long-acting drug would prevent H.I.V. in six doses taken over a year instead of the 365 required for the prevention pill currently on the market was so convincing the researchers decided to end their clinical trial of the drug early. (Mandavilli, 11/9)
AP: Study Finds Long-Acting Shot Helps Women Avoid HIV Infection
Researchers are stopping a study early after finding that a shot of an experimental medicine every two months worked better than daily pills to help keep women from catching HIV from an infected sex partner. The news is a boon for AIDS prevention efforts especially in Africa, where the study took place, and where women have few discreet ways of protecting themselves from infection. Results so far suggest that the drug, cabotegravir, was 89% more effective at preventing HIV infection than Truvada pills, although both reduce that risk. (Marchione, 11/9)
Stat: ViiV's HIV Prevention Shot Beats Truvada Pill In A Study Of Women
In a notable development for preventing HIV, an interim analysis found that an every-other-month injectable treatment was 89% more effective in preventing infection among women than the Truvada pill, which must be taken daily and is the current standard of care. (Silverman, 11/9)
