HIV prevention drugs known as PrEP are highly effective, but many at risk don't know about it
CBSN
Despite highly effective HIV prevention drugs on the market, only a fraction of those at risk in the U.S. are taking them — or even know it's an option.
It's called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, and it is about 99% effective to prevent HIV infection through sexual contact when taken as prescribed. But only about one-third of the 1.2 million Americans who could benefit from the medication are taking it, according to an estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
LaTonia Wilkins told CBS News she never knew PrEP was for people like her, even after she had an HIV scare.
A group of House Democrats Tuesday called for action from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, days after CBS News published an investigation which found dozens of law enforcement officials illegally sold firearms, even weapons of war, across 23 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.