Shot to prevent HIV 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 HIV in women, researchers reported 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 HIV 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. “It’s a game changer for women,” said Dr. Sigal Yawetz, an expert on women with HIV at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who was not involved in the trial.