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People with HIV who have to take four anti-viral tablets every day will soon need just one, because of state funding of a combined pill.
A decision by Pharmac means about 250 patients will be able to take the single pill instead of four - two of each of the separate drugs.
From January 1, the combined pill Kivexa will be state funded. It contains two medicines already subsidised for people with HIV, abacavir and lamivudine.
The Aids Foundation welcomed the change, but warned that prevention of HIV was still the best weapon against the disease.
