NAPWA

We may be moving towards an era when treating HIV earlier becomes the norm, but it appears that many still don’t understand the benefits of treatment; and how far HIV medicine has come. read more »

According to the Canadian Observational CohortIn epidemiologyThe branch of medical science that deals with the study of incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population., a group of individuals with some characteristics in common. A cohort study is a special kind of 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. which looks at a treatment or treatment strategy in a cohort of people. collaboration, abacavir (ABC) or tenofovir (TDF) are equally effective in first-line treatment.

The authors found that in their group of treatment-naive patients starting treatment, there was no difference in time to suppression with ABC/3TC (Kivexa) versus TDF/FTC (Truvada). read more »

With around 80% of Australians claiming that they search online for health information, the NPS has developed five questions you should ask to help you decide if the medical or health information you find on the internet is accurate, unbiased and up to date. read more »

New findings from a survey conducted by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) have shed some light on how Australians are using and misusing medicines. read more »

Merck has terminated a trial comparing once-daily dosing against the currently recommended twice-daily dosing of raltegravir. read more »

The Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference was held in Sydney in October. Here are some of the treatment highlights: read more »

Doctors at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney have reported two cases of transmitted triple-class drug resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. HIV.

The first case was diagnosed in 2006 and they believe this person passed the same strain[HIV strain] Any subgroup of the HIV species. Because HIV mutates very easily, there are many different strains (and may be multiple strains within a single person). onto the second case which was identified in 2008. read more »

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) has broadened access to raltegravir (Isentress) beyond treatment-experienced adults.

Raltegravir is now also available for people who are first starting HIV treatment.

Raltegravir + Truvada is now one of four preferred commencing regimens in the Australian HIV Treatment Guidelines. read more »

Last week NAPWA raised concerns related to a recent advertising campaign initiated by Gilead Australia, running in print and radio media. Through discussion Gilead have agreed to consult more widely on future patient based initiatives, and end the current advertising campaign earlier than planned. read more »

A pharmaceutical company advertising campaign will create confusion about HIV treatment choices and risks complicating the doctor-patient relationship, the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has said. read more »