Tens of thousands of people living with HIV may soon swap their daily regimen of pills for a single tablet taken once a month. A landmark trial has found the new medication, developed by pharmaceutical giant Merck, to be as effective as the daily drug combinations currently used to keep the virus under control.
The pill belongs to a new class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitors, or NRTTIs. It works by blocking a critical step in the virus’s replication process, preventing HIV from embedding itself into the DNA chain. Researchers say the simplified dosing schedule could fill an “unmet need,” improving adherence for patients who struggle with daily treatment.
Globally, an estimated 41 million people are living with HIV, according to UNAIDS. In the United Kingdom, at least 113,000 people live with the virus. HIV remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, ranking alongside tuberculosis, with roughly 630,000 deaths last year alone.
At present, pre-exposure prophylaxis—better known as PrEP—plays a key role in preventing transmission among people at higher risk. But PrEP requires strict daily use to be effective. Other options have emerged, including long-acting injectables given every eight weeks or, more recently, a twice-yearly shot approved in the United States. Yet these alternatives depend on access to clinics, which can be difficult for many patients.
Read Also: Experts Link Childhood Traits To Higher Psychopathy Risk
The once-a-month pill, researchers wrote in PLOS Biology, could offer a more accessible solution. “A convenient option with the potential to improve adherence compared to daily PrEP,” they noted, particularly for people unable to reach healthcare settings for regular injections.
Despite advances, the virus continues to take a heavy toll. HIV attacks and weakens the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to infections. It spreads through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk—but not through sweat, saliva, or urine. Without treatment, HIV progresses to AIDS, marked by a cluster of life-threatening infections.
There is still no cure. But scientists and advocates alike hope that innovations like the monthly pill will move the fight against HIV closer to a future where the virus is no longer a global killer.
