NAPWA

UNITAID, the international finance mechanism for drugs to treat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, has given the go-ahead for a patent pool for antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. drugs, a mechanism to promote wider licensing of patented drugs to generic manufacturers, in order to lower the cost of treatment. read more »

PRO 2000, the microbicide gel, has failed to protect women against HIV infection in the largest microbicide studyA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. 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. 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. to date. read more »

Increasing access to antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. therapy is finally starting to have a positive impact on the global epidemic. read more »

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) has just happened in San Francisco. This meeting is held annually and focuses on the very latest in basic science and clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. research. Jo Watson was there and gives us an overview. read more »

State and federal governments should make a clear commitment to reforming laws that discriminate against HIV-positive people, state and national organisations representing people living with HIV have said. read more »

The ninth AIDS Impact Conference, held in Gaborone, Botswana in September, provided a platform for social researchers and community project workers to profile research and data which supports interventions in the HIV response. read more »

John Trigg attended the ICAAPInternational Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific. IX Conference as NAPWA Delegate. Here he reports on his experience of the Conference. read more »

True to the main argument in Alvin Toffler’s book, Future Shock, change is not slowing, it's accelerating. Neil McKellar-Stewart recalls how things have changed and prepares us for more to come. read more »

According to surveys past, the number one thing people get out of attending international AIDS conferences is not, as you might expect, ‘finding out about new treatment developments’, but rather ‘a sense of spiritual renewal in the fight against HIV’. read more »

The 2008 High-level meeting on AIDS took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It reviewed progress made in implementing the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. Here is a recent posting of a 2008 report on that meeting. read more »