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Treating HIV

Recent advances in HIV treatments mean that people living with HIV are leading longer and more productive lives.

NAPWHA works with pharmaceutical companies, educators, clinicians and government to ensure we have access to the best treatments and information possible. NAPWHA Health & Treatments projects are also actively representing the interests of positive people in many ways.

Treataware (formerly the AIDS Treatment Project Australia) develops educational materials and organises the popular Treatments Information Roadshow and Chin Wag events all around Australia.

For detailed information about specific anti-HIV treatments, visit NAPWHA's HIV Treatments Database.

For detailed information about when to start treatment, go to When to start treatment

Clinical Trials

Resource • 1 July 2004

This fact sheet provides you with information and some questions to ask if you are considering participating in a 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. . read more »

The cost of treatment too high? Have your say!

Story • Aaron Cogle • 8 March 2013

NAPWHA’s latest survey is about barriers to treatment for HIV.

By understanding patterns in treatment behaviour, NAPWHA hopes to develop a clearer picture of the relationship between the decision to treat and the ability to afford HIV medications.

Help us explain the reasons why people choose to start, stop or delay taking treatment by filling out the survey.

Click here to take survey read more »

A little can go a long way

Positive Living article • David Anders • 7 March 2013

Gone are the days of multiple daily dosing and battling horrendous side effects to achieve viral suppression. Newer generation drugs can achieve much with a lot less effort.

Armed with this knowledge, David Anders made the transition from standard triple combination therapyHighly 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. to a lighter regimen of boosted darunavir monotherapy. read more »

Coping with loss and grief

Positive Living article • Loretta Healey • 7 March 2013

State of Mind: the column where therapists recommend techniques we can employ to deal with the symptoms of anxiety or depression. In this issue, Loretta Healey offers some practical wisdom to help those coping with loss and grief. read more »

Superfoods

Positive Living article • Jo Watson • 7 March 2013

Most of us know Jo Watson as the executive Director of NAPWHA, but away from the office Jo displays a passion for cooking. So, we asked her to share one of her favourite recipes using a ‘superfood’. She chose to use beetroot in a beetroot and goat cheese tart. read more »

Listening to those not on treatment

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 7 March 2013

In this current climate of pro-treatment, people who are not taking antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. therapy (ART) can feel like a minority whose voice is not being heard.

This is why NAPWHA has partnered with researchers Limin Mao and Henrike Körner from the National Centre in HIV Social Research to conduct interviews with people who are currently not on ART. read more »

Sex C

Positive Living article • Jae Condon • 7 March 2013

There is a growing concern that hepatitis C (HCVHepatitis C virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell..) is more easily transmitted sexually among HIV positive gay men than previously thought.

Jae Condon investigates the sexual transmission of hepatitis C. read more »

ASHM calls for review of treating criteria

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 7 March 2013
Treating HIV

Currently, ART is only subsidised through 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. for PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHAPerson (or People) Living with HIV/AIDS.. commencing treatment with a CD4 T-cell count of less than 500 or who are symptomatic.

The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ) has called for a review of these criteria. read more »

You want that wrapped?

Positive Living article • admin • 7 March 2013

The sort of sex that positive men do together is not something that gets talked about too often.

But Positive Life NSW wants to change all that. read more »

Like a friend dropping by with advice

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 7 March 2013

'Get Happy’ is a smartphone app that does just that.

Using techniques that are based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the ‘Get Happy’ app was developed by clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. psychologist Dr Lisa Patterson-Kane.

A message is delivered each day to your phone in one of four categories: relationships, personal growth, leisure or work and education.

It’s nothing earth shattering. read more »

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HIV Clinical Trials update

Recently updated entries from the NAPWHA Clinical Trials database.

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