NAPWA

The sponsor company of Sculptra in Australia, Sanofi- Aventis, has finally had confirmation from Medicare that the two item numbers for the injecting procedure have been approved.

The company will be sending advice to relevant doctors shortly, but the expectation is that the listing will be from 1 July. read more »

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections reports important advances in HIV treatments and clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. care. The 18th CROI was held in Boston in March. Neil McKellar-Stewart highlights some of the good bits. read more »

Following the successful listing of Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) 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. in 2009, many people eligible for the treatment have been eagerly awaiting the listing of an item number to help cover the costs of the procedure.

While the recommendation to list the procedure was made in February last year, there is still no progress on finalising this on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. read more »

The 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.). has notified healthcare professionals and patients that it will significantly restrict the use of the diabetes[Diabetes mellitus[Diabetes mellitus] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effect of some anti-HIV drugs.] A disorder in which sugars in the diet cannot be metabolised into energy due to a lack of the enzyme insulin. Late-onset diabetes mellitus may be a long-term side effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV drugs. drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) to patients with Type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes on other medications. read more »

There is currently no effective drug treatment available for the treatmen of excess abdominal fat caused by lipodystrophy – but that could change very soon. read more »

The Commonwealth’s recent decision to list Sculptra 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. is exciting news for Australia’s positive community. Anyone with HIV treatment­associated facial lipoatrophy is now subsidised to receive up to eight vials for their first treatment followed by top­ups of two vials every two years read more »

Today’s 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. listing of a treatment for HIV-associated facial wasting will provide substantial improvements in quality of life for people living with HIV, the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has said. read more »

People with severe facial lipoatrophy caused by HIV treatments are closer to being able to access subsidised treatment with poly-lactic acid under the 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. (PBS). read more »

People with facial lipoatrophy are eagerly awaiting the decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to have the facial filler, Sculptra, listed on the 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.. read more »

The listing of two new HIV treatment options on the 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. (PBS) is good news for people living with HIV, the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has said. read more »