The first once-a-day HIV pill combining three current medicines has won approval in the United States.
Atripla, which contains Bristol-Myers Squibb's drug Sustiva and Gilead's medicines Viread and Emtriva, is the latest step in making it easier for AIDS patients to keep the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV in check.
It offers patients a more convenient alternative to current multiple drug cocktails.
In the early days of Aids treatment, patients had to take dozens of pills at different times each day, some with or without food. Experts soon realised that was too difficult.
One doctor said the new pill, although not a breakthrough, offered a simple treatment, like those for some other chronic health problems.
The three-drug combination found in Atripla is the most commonly prescribed regimen for US patients starting HIV treatment. Atripla will cost $1,150.88 for a 30-day supply and will be available within seven business days, the drugmakers said.
As with all Aids medicines, patients may develop resistance to Atripla and need to switch to another combination.
In June, the FDA approved another three-in-one Aids pill for use in poor countries under a global relief plan. That product contains generic versions of older HIV drugs, and the combination is not sold in the United States.