Trial of 'game-changing' HIV drug gets underway
Trials of a drug to protect people against contracting HIV get underway this week in Wales
The drug, known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can be taken 'on demand' in order to protect against infection.
The Welsh Government had been advised not to fund the HIV prevention treatment in April by the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group - despite the drugs being called "game-changing" by a leading HIV charity.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gethin gave the PrEP trial the green light, saying he had no doubt that Truvada could reduce rates of HIV infection in Wales.
Critics say that the drug could encourage risky behaviour and might therefore lead to an increase in other sexually transmitted diseases.
What is PrEP?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a course of HIV drugs taken by HIV negative people that effectively stops HIV infection.
The medication used for PrEP is a tablet called Truvada, which contains tenofovir and emtricitabine (which are drugs commonly used to treat HIV).
The World Health Organisation guidelines state PrEP improves opportunities for people to access other services such as HIV testing, STI screening and counselling.
The vast majority of HIV infections diagnosed in Wales are sexually transmitted.
The trial is expected to run for at least three years.