But the cost of this drug is hideously expensive -- about $14,000 a year. Regardless of what the story says, doctors do not "give" the pill to patients. Pharmacies sell it to them.

contaminated by blood from known HIV patients or who get bodily fluids splashed into mucus membranes.

I sincerely doubt most people out there would be considered high risk enough to get it or need to take it. It would be nice if it became available to street hookers, though. They're about the highest risk population I know and nobody gives them a damned thing.

They've been known to do that

that can be traced to a needle stick.

Aside from the outrageous cost, users should know that...
1. It's only effective if the person takes it every day forever (or until the risk of infection + incubation time is past)
2. The side effects suck (nausea, diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, dizziness)
3. Safe sex, clean needles, etc. are more effective and much cheaper.

Than learning to take the pill.

Why treat people w/ HIV w/ that reasoning?

This is 1 more arrow in a limited quiver of arrows to combat this disease.

if gonorrhea has become so widespread that it is now resistant to all but one antibiotic, does anyone out there think that people aren't passing on HIV as well? It's off the main stream radar because HIV has receded into isolated populations, but it could come roaring out at any time.