International News United Arab Emirates: Sale of Drugs to Cut HIV Infection AllowedNovember 7, 2008 The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Health has approved the dispensing of eight antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) across the country, officials said recently. The drugs, if taken within 72 hours of exposure to the virus, can reduce the chances of HIV infection by about 79 percent. PEP will be available only with a prescription and recommendation by health officials and/or the Ministry of Health. "PEP is not 100 percent effective; it cannot guarantee that exposure to HIV will not become a case of HIV infection," Dr. Farida Al Hosani, senior regional officer for Public Health and Policies at Health Authority Abu Dhabi, said recently at a three-day HIV/AIDS workshop. Gulf News (Dubai) 11.05.2008; Dina El Shammaa This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.
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