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World AIDS Day has long been a commemoration not only of the struggle for an end to this epidemic, but as a time to remember those who died from the disease during its course. Last year marked 30 years since AIDS was first reported and became an indelible part of our lives.
In 2012, World AIDS Day is an opportunity to acknowledge how far we have actually come, not only in treating, but reducing stigma and accepting people living with HIV.
As the result of the combined effort of patients, researchers, industry, the FDA and other government agencies, there are now thirty-six approved therapies for HIV/AIDS. Each new addition to the armamentarium has helped improve survival and quality of life for patients. Today, most people living with HIV are able to focus on daily life, rather than survival.
During 2012 there were four major advances in the battle against HIV:
- Truvada is the first HIV drug approved for prophylactic (preventive) use, and has been shown to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of the HIV virus to uninfected adults in certain populations.
- OraQuick In-Home HIV Test is the first rapid home-use oral HIV test kit that does not require sending a sample to a laboratory for analysis. This test has the potential to identify previously undiagnosed HIV infections, especially if used by those unlikely to visit a doctor’s office or clinic.
- Stribild is the first single-tablet HIV medicine to combine four separate drugs to treat HIV and can be taken once daily.
- The number of antiretroviral drugs tentatively approved or approved for use under the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, has surpassed 150. PEPFAR is a program to treat those infected with HIV/AIDS in countries that lack the tools needed to fight the AIDS epidemic.
The Food and Drug Administration supports the fight against HIV/AIDS in many ways. FDA has played an important role not only in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, but also prevention, including oversight and safety of the blood supply and barrier products such as condoms and medical gloves. FDA is also involved with HIV vaccine and microbicide development, diagnostic testing, food safety, clinical trials oversight, regulatory research, and helping to improve access to HIV/AIDS therapies abroad.
As we stand poised on the exciting cusp of cure research that might finally end this epidemic, FDA remains committed to supporting efforts to help us all work together toward an AIDS-free future.
Richard Klein
Office of Special Health Issues
Food and Drug Administration
Kimberly Struble
Division of Antiviral Products
Food and Drug Administration
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