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Treating HIV

Recent advances in HIV treatments mean that people living with HIV are leading longer and more productive lives. But short and long-term side effects remain a major concern for positive people and for NAPWA.

NAPWA's Health Treatments & Research Portfolio works with pharmaceutical companies, educators, clinicians and government to ensure we have access to the best treatments and information possible. Our HIV Health & Treatments Project is also active in this area, 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 NAPWA's HIV Treatments Database.

HIV General Practice Workforce Study

Story • Dr Christy Newman • 11 February 2010

The National Centre in HIV Social Research at The University of New South Wales is leading a 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. investigating the capacity of the general practitioner workforce to meet ongoing HIV primary care needs in Australia. read more »

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 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 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 »

Clinical Trial Action Group Public Submissions

Submission • Scott Lockhart • 12 March 2010

NAPWA recently contributed to the 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 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. Action Group. NAPWA has been closely engaged in clinical trials involving PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. throughout its history. read more »

Generic drug breakthrough

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 4 March 2010
Treating HIV

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 »

Three treatments for the price of one

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 4 March 2010
Treating HIV

For the cost of a single 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. script, Australians now have access to Atripla, the first HIV medication to combine three treatments in a single once-a-day tablet.

The new pill contains 300mg tenofovir + 200mg emtricitabine + 600mg efavirenz and is available for those either starting treatment for the first time or changing from other HIV treatments. read more »

Fosamprenavir linked to heart problems

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 4 March 2010
Treating HIV

In December, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) issued a letter alerting clinicians to the potential association between use of their protease inhibitor fosamprenavir (Telzir) and dyslipidemia (abnormal blood fatA fat. levels) and myocardial infarction (heart attackA life-threatening emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off, causing the heart muscle (myocardium) to die from lack of oxygen.). read more »

What's your problem?

Positive Living article • Dr Louise Owen • 4 March 2010

Doctor Louise answers readers' questions. In this issue she discusses the value of seeing an HIV GP. read more »

RESISTING RESISTANCE

Positive Living article • Neil McKellar-Stewart • 4 March 2010

Developing resistanceHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant.. to HIV is by no means a certainty but it is certainly something you want to avoid. Neil McKellar-Stewart explains what it is, how it comes about and what you can do about it. read more »

Are we running out of GPs?

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 4 March 2010

Why would anyone choose to specialise in HIV medicine? And what possible incentives are there to make you stay? These are questions you may well have contemplated while sitting in your own doctor’s waiting room. read more »

Dental scheme continues

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 4 March 2010

It looked like it wouldn’t last, but the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Dental Scheme appears likely to continue into the foreseeable future.

Under the scheme, you are able to claim up to $4,250 in Medicare Benefits over two consecutive calendar years. The two-calendar year period is counted from the calendar year of your first dental service. read more »

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HIV Clinical Trials update