NAPWA

A new, once-daily, lower dose of the protease inhibitorA type of anti-HIV drug that works by preventing the production of an enzyme, protease, that HIV needs to replicate. darunavir (Prezista) is available on the PBS[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs.] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. from 1 December.

To date, the recommended dose has been 600mg taken twice-a-day along with 100mg of ritonavir. But this new daily dose is just 800mg boosted with a single dose of ritonavir.

The lower dosage of both drugs appears to have a much better side effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. profile. read more »

At the conference, Julian Elliot from The Burnet Institute in Melbourne spoke of our ‘combo-prevention future’, where a successful vaccine and cure could potentially end the epidemic. read more »

Dr Mark Bloch from Holdsworth House in Sydney presented the 48-week results of the combined ECHO and THRIVE studies which determined that the new NNRTI rilpivirine (RPV) is as effective as efavirenz (EFV) for first-line treatment.

Everyone in the studies received a nucleoside backbone to their treatment – in ECHO it was Truvada, in THRIVE it was tenfovir/3TC or abacavir/3TC. read more »

The Clinical Trials Action Group (CTAG) was established in October 2009 to identify and progress necessary reforms to secure Australia’s competitiveness in the clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trials sector.

Following the release of the CTAG's report, the Consumers Health Forum was funded by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to develop a factsheet to provide consumer-friendly information about clinical trials, in response to a recommendation for improved consumer access to information on clinical trials. read more »

Adrian Ogier gives the low-down on latest antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. treatments. read more »

Compared to abacavir, tenofovir does increase bone mineral density (BMD) loss but not fracture risk, according to the results from the STEAL trial reported at the IAS Conference in Rome. read more »

The government caused turmoil by announcing in February that all new medicines will now require cabinet approval before they can be subsidised on the PBS[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs.] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs.. read more »

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDAThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness(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. of all drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices, including those used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related opportunistic infections. The FDA also works with the blood banking industry to safeguard the nation's blood supply. The Australian equivalent is the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA[Therapeutic Goods Administration] The federal government body that approves drugs and treatments before they can be prescribed.).) recently issued a warning to people taking the highest approved dose of simvastatin, a common cholesterolAn essential component of cell membranes and nerve fibre insulation, cholesterol is important for the metabolism and transport of fatty acids and the production of hormones and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is manufactured by the liverA large organ, located in the upper right abdomen, which assists in digestion by metabolising carbohydrates, fats and proteins, stores vitamins and minerals, produces amino acids, bile and cholesterol, and removes toxins from the blood., and is also present in certain foods. High blood cholesterol levels have been linked to heart disease and may be a side effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV medications.-lowering medication, that they have an increased risk of muscle injury compared to people taking lower doses of the drug. read more »

Adrian Ogier gives a round up of treatments news from the Vienna Conference. read more »