New pill 'reduces Aids risk by two-thirds'

A new pill that could reduce the risk of catching Aids by two-thirds is being trialled in the US, it has been reported.

The New Scientist reported, pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP is the subject of several "large trials" at the moment.

If the drug is found successful when the results come out next year, it could save millions of lives.

"You can't just hang around and do nothing. You have got to keep trying," the publication reported.

A PrEP tablet once a day works by reducing the risk of catching HIV – even with condom-free sex.

It is based from drugs already used in HIV/Aids highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART.

However, some critics fear it could put more people at risk by encouraging unsafe sex.

PrEP was trialled among almost 1,000 women in Africa, but not enough completed the course to make accurate findings.

More than 33 million people are living with HIV/Aids with an estimated 7,000 new infections each day.

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