NAPWA

A landmark high-level United Nations meeting has failed to make any firm commitment to increased access to HIV treatment, despite energetic lobbying by AIDS activists to head off a weakened international response to HIV/AIDS. read more »

Volunteers are now being sought for the clinical trialA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. 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 IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. of an experimental(Of a drug) Not licensed for use in humans, or as a treatment for a particular condition. Experimental drugs are studied in clinical 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. preventive HIV vaccine. People at high risk of contracting HIV, aged between 18 and 45, who live in Sydney are eligible for the trial. read more »

Is being HIV-positive an innate part of our identities as positive people, or has the concept of “HIV identity” become less significant in the post-HAARTHighly Active AntiRetroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. Therapy ??? aggressive treatment of HIV infection using several different drugs together. era? DAVID MENADUE investigates. read more »

Maura Elaripe, an HIV-positive treatments activist and one of the founding members of Papua New Guinea’s newly-formed national organisation for people living with HIV/AIDS, Igat HopeOrganisation representing people living with HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea. ('Igat Hope' means 'There is hope' in Tok Pisin, the national language of PNGPapua New Guinea)., was invited to speak at the UN High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, but due to transport problems was unable to attend. This is the speech she had prepared. read more »

A report from the NAPWHA Education Portfolio Convenor presented to the NAPWHA Special General Meeting held on 29-30 April 2006. read more »

A substantial rise in new HIV diagnoses in Victoria has meant the number of people diagnosed Australia wide has continued to rise, causing widespread concern among governments and community groups. read more »

The 13th annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) took place in Denver, Colorado, from February 5 to 8. The major breaking news from this conference was the premature cancellation of the SMART study, but as usual, this important conference produced a great deal more than a single story. read more »

Not all my days are the same, but Thursday is the day I do my volunteer work for PLWHAPerson (or People) Living with HIV/AIDS. NSW, something I look forward to each week. Going into the office makes me feel good, it gives me purpose and motivation, and allows me to enter an environment that I always find welcoming, friendly and rewarding. read more »

HIV-related news in brief from the April 2006 edition of Positive Living. read more »

The care and support needs of positive people are changing and remain poorly understood. A landmark NAPWHA project aims to improve our knowledge in this important area, writes PETER CANAVAN. read more »