NAPWA

Two new drugs have recently become available through the Special Access SchemeBefore a drug has been approved, manufacturers often provide the drug free of charge to people who cannot participate in a clinical trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. and who meet certain criteria under a Special Access Scheme (SASBefore a drug has been approved, manufacturers often provide the drug free of charge to people who cannot participate in a clinical trial and who meet certain criteria under a Special Access Scheme (SAS). ). , providing people with limited treatment options two important new possibilities. KIRSTY MACHON reports. read more »

By enabling people to access HIV drugs before they are approved, the Special Assistance Scheme ensures that people with few treatment options aren't disadvantaged by the often drawn-out drug approval process. But how does the scheme work, and how do you access it? read more »

NAPWA and AFAOAustralian Federation of AIDS Organisations. AFAO is the peak non-government organisation representing Australia's community-based response to HIV/AIDS. AFAO's work includes education, policy, advocacy and international projects. welcome the announcement and launch last night of the Special Access SchemeBefore a drug has been approved, manufacturers often provide the drug free of charge to people who cannot participate in a clinical trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. and who meet certain criteria under a Special Access Scheme (SASBefore a drug has been approved, manufacturers often provide the drug free of charge to people who cannot participate in a clinical trial and who meet certain criteria under a Special Access Scheme (SAS). ). for the investigational(Of a drug) Not licensed for use in humans, or as a treatment for a particular condition. Experimental drugs are studied in clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trials to determine their safety and efficacy(Of a drug or treatment). The maximum ability of a drug or treatment to produce a result regardless of dosage. A drug passes efficacy trials if it is effective at the dose tested and against the illness for which it is prescribed. In the standard procedure, Phase II clinical trials gauge efficacy, and Phase III trials confirm it., and are sometimes made available via Special Access Schemes prior to their approval. agent – Tenofovir, a once daily oral nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitorA type of anti-HIV drug which works by interfering with an enzyme, reverse transcriptase, that HIV needs to reproduce. for the treatment of HIV. read more »