DAR ES SALAAM, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania has started trials of pills that can prevent one from contracting HIV, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Faustine Ndugulile, the deputy minister of health, however, said "What we have launched is a preventive medicine, and this is meant for groups of people who are at high risk of contracting HIV. The pills will help such people not to contract HIV. We are also making trials and the drug is not yet available on the market."

He said the preventive treatment, known medically as Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), has been launched as part of Tanzania's fourth Health Sector HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2017-2022. Read more via Xinhua