ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved of the first injectable treatment for HIV prevention. A Rochester doctor at the forefront of the fight to eradicate HIV is applauding the move.

Dr. Bill Valenti is a pioneer in the treatment of AIDS and HIV. Now, he’s celebrating the approval of an injectable HIV prevention drug that was previously used to treat those already HIV-positive.

What You Need To Know

  • As infection rates rise in Monroe County, the FDA has approved an injection-based drug to help prevent the spread of HIV

  • Dr. Bill Valenti has been at the forefront of treatment and prevention efforts

  • With a goal of ending HIV altogether, the FDA’s approval of a new prevention method is another step toward just that

“The science is moving along,” Valenti said. “And giving us the information we need on how we can stop the spread of HIV.”

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prevention. Previously available in pill form and taken daily, injections every two months have proven highly effective is stopping the spread of HIV to those at risk. Valenti said just a quarter of those eligible for HIV PrEP in any form currently use it.

“The drugs work,” he said. “On the other hand, the drugs only work if you take them.”

Valenti helped treat Rochester’s first AIDS patients 40 years ago. The co-founder of Rochester-based Trillium Health has been at the forefront of treatment and prevention efforts.  

“People with HIV today really do live with a chronic illness, and don't die in the large numbers they did once,” he said.

The FDA’s approval of the preventative injection comes at a time when HIV cases are on the rise in Monroe County. According to the New York State Health Department, HIV cases had declined steadily in Monroe County in the four previous years leading up to 2020’s increase. In the first nine months of last year, the number of new cases already had surpassed the previous year.

Valenti believes the pandemic played a role, not just in behavior but in access to care.

“Pandemics like this sort of exaggerate the health disparities that we see ordinarily,” he said.

Valenti said the biggest increase in HIV cases appeared in young Black men who have sex with other men. Intravenous drug users also saw an increase.  

With a goal of ending HIV altogether, the FDA’s approval of a new prevention method is another step toward just that.

“The approach that's evolved over these 40 years has positioned us to be able to talk about that in realistic terms,” Valenti said. “I'll tell you what, I’d like a little vaccine to finish the job. To really finish the job.”