The New England Journal of Medicine has published a review of antiretroviral therapy covering every drug the US Food and Drug Administration approved for HIV treatment between 1987 and 2026.
The New England Journal of Medicine posted the announcement on X, pointing followers to a new review article that spans nearly 40 years of HIV treatment approvals. According to the post, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — the American body responsible for licensing medicines — approved 36 antiretroviral (virus-fighting) drugs across that period on the basis of clinical trial results.
Antiretroviral therapy works by suppressing HIV in the body, preventing the virus from replicating and reducing the risk of transmission. The journal’s review draws together the evidence base behind each of those 36 approvals, offering clinicians and researchers a consolidated account of how HIV treatment has developed since the first drug was licensed in 1987.
The post comes from the NEJM account — not a UK or Kent source — so the review reflects FDA licensing decisions rather than those of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which governs drug approvals in England.
Kent residents living with HIV, or those with questions about treatment options, should speak to their GP or contact NHS 111 for guidance on locally available services.
Key information
- NHS 111 — call 111 for non-emergency health queries, including questions about HIV treatment and referrals
- Terrence Higgins Trust helpline — 0808 802 1221, free and confidential HIV and sexual health support
- For emergencies, call 999
Source: @NEJM
Thirty-Six HIV Drugs Approved in Four Decades, Medical Journal Reports Quiz
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