Andy Gallacher

The two sides to Truvada

Truvada is a major breakthrough in the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS.

The US Food and Drug Administration has stated that it is a "safe" and "effective" way of preventing the virus, and yet this little blue pill has already become something of a polarising force.

There are those who say it is a major step towards the goal of finding a cure for the HIV virus, and clinical trials have backed those claims up.

But others, some of whom have been fighting for years to get those at risk to use condoms and counselling, have concerns that Truvada may lead to a dangerous sense of invincibility.

If taken every day, Truvada provides more protection against the HIV virus than any other drug available.

Potential 'catastrophe'

Having an excuse to not use a condom has led the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to describe the use of Truvada as a potential "catastrophe" that could undue years of safe-sex advocacy.