Columbus Nurse: HIV Prevention Drug 'Comparable To Vaccines'

HIV used to be a death sentence. But, today, it’s a manageable, chronic disease. And as WOSU reports, a Columbus nurse says there’s an HIV preventive pill that’s almost as effective as a vaccine. It’s called Truvada. And the CDC reports the drug can prevent HIV infection by 92 percent. The AIDS Resource Center Ohio in the Short North prescribes it at its health clinic. Mimi Rivard, who’s a Nurse Practitioner there, said Truvada blocks replication of the AIDS virus. Rivard compared its efficacy to a vaccine. "Prevention is always our strongest strategy in terms of treatment. And I think that we do look forward to a future where we'll have a cure or we'll have a vaccine," Rivard said when asked about a cure for the disease. "But we have a tool right now that will decrease the transmission of HIV at such a high level. It's comparable to vaccines we give our children."

The drug’s critics say it promotes promiscuity, unsafe sex and will lead to higher infection rates. Rivard said that rationale diminishes the drug’s effectiveness. "I think those that decry the use of this medication are not really thinking about a public health pragmatic perspective," she said. "For myself, and I think [AIDS Resource Center Ohio], as well, we look at this as an opportunity to bring a new level of health and consciousness to our community and to really help us move forward and decrease the spread of HIV."

“It also is a very paternalist and dismissive approach to take when you have a human being who is willing to look at medication and proactively look at their health," Rivard added. Rivard said anyone who engages in risky sexual behavior is a good candidate for the drug. But she said there are certain groups she wants to focus on. "My hope is that we will be able to target communities that are most impacted now by HIV: young men of color who have sex with men. I think that is a really important demographic that I would like to target."

As with many medications, Truvada has side effects. Rivard said headache, stomach pain and insomnia are common. And she said kidney function must be monitored. The daily pill is expensive, retailing for $1,700 a month, according to an ARC Ohio pharmacist. Rivard said Ohio’s Medicaid plan covers Truvada, as well as some insurance companies. The drug's maker, Gilead, offers assistance to help cover the cost.