The FDA has approved a breakthrough preventative treatment for HIV that could change the course of the AIDS epidemic.

But deep cuts to health initiatives, both here and abroad, could hinder the medications rollout.

William Brangam joins us now with the latest. William.

The drug is called Lena Kampavir, and not only does it offer nearly 100% protection from HIV, but people

only need two injections per year. Other HIV prevention drugs need to be taken daily or monthly.

So this drug has generated enormous optimism in the HIV-AIDS community, but getting this

drug to those who need it the most is not a sure thing.

For more on this, we are joined by Mitchell Warren. He's the executive director of the AIDS

Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. Mitchell, Warren, so good to have you on the program. So a lot of

excitement about this new medication, nearly perfect protection.

But as I mentioned, it's two injections per year.

Can you explain why that timing is so significant?

Thank you so much for having me.

And I'm delighted to be able to talk about this because it is one of the most exciting

moments in HIV prevention, frankly, in 44 years of this pandemic. 13 years ago this month,

in fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved daily oral prep, the idea that you described

of taking a pill every day to prevent HIV. It's an incredibly effective product. It's incredibly safe by taking a pill every day for a condition that doesn't exist for prevention

is hard.

And we've seen sluggish rollout for some people in a hard time to adhere to taking a pill every day.

So the idea of only needing to come into the clinic twice a year to get these injections

makes it a potentially more feasible intervention for people who are at risk of HIV.

And so there is a lot of enthusiasm.

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