Content about AIDS

December 27, 2012

The Obama administration recently stressed the importance of increasing coverage of HIV treatment, as well as increasing access to HIV testing and counseling. It's an initiative that Walgreens, with more than 700 HIV-specialized pharmacies and over 2,000 pharmacists with special HIV/AIDS-accredited educational training, follows closely. Walgreens' senior manager for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis pharmacy services Glen Pietrandoni talked with DSN on the scope of Walgreens' HIV/AIDS services.

AUDIO Q&A: Walgreens' senior manager for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis pharmacy services Glen Pietrandoni talked with DSN on the scope of Walgreens' HIV/AIDS services.The Obama administration recently stressed the importance of increasing coverage of HIV treatment, as well as increasing access to HIV testing and counseling.

March 11, 2013

Early detection of PML in multiple sclerosis patients treated with immune-suppressing drugs may improve survival

Early detection of a deadly brain infection that sometimes arises due to treatment of autoimmune disorders with immune-suppressing biotech drugs may improve survival, according to a new study.

SAN DIEGO — Early detection of a deadly brain infection that sometimes arises due to treatment of autoimmune disorders with immune-suppressing biotech drugs may improve survival, according to a new study.

The study, released Sunday and scheduled for presentation at the 65th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Diego, which starts next Saturday, found that early detection of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, may improve survival and disability levels.

February 19, 2013

Gilead voluntarily recalls one lot of injected AIDS-related infection drug

Drug maker Gilead Sciences has recalled a single lot of an injected drug used to treat an opportunistic infection in AIDS patients due to the presence of foreign matter, the company said.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Drug maker Gilead Sciences has recalled a single lot of an injected drug used to treat an opportunistic infection in AIDS patients due to the presence of foreign matter in some vials, the company said.

Gilead announced the voluntary recall of lot B120217A of Vistide (cidofovir), an injected drug used to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS, due to particulate matter.

January 29, 2013

Plaintiffs in Medi-Cal reimbursement case request rehearing

Plaintiffs in CMA et al. v. Douglas et al. have filed a request for a rehearing of the case on the heels of a reversal of the Federal District Court’s decision by a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Plaintiffs in CMA et al. v. Douglas et al. have filed a request for a rehearing of the case on the heels of a reversal of the Federal District Court’s decision by a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

January 18, 2013

AIDS Healthcare Foundation to rebrand MOMS Pharmacy

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is rebranding a chain of specialty pharmacies it recently bought.

LOS ANGELES — The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is rebranding a chain of specialty pharmacies it recently bought.

The AHF, which bought MOMS Pharmacy in August 2012, said it would rebrand the chain as AHF Pharmacy. MOMS is focused exclusively on providing medications and support services to people living with HIV and AIDS. The name change will be effective immediately, but the entire rebranding could take several months due to state pharmacy regulations and the need to replace signage, prescription labeling and other fixtures.

January 2, 2013

First anti-diarrheal drug for HIV/AIDS patients receives FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Fulyzaq (crofelemer) to relieve symptoms of diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy, a combination of medicines used to treat HIV infection.

SPRING SPRING, Md. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Fulyzaq (crofelemer) to relieve symptoms of diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy, a combination of medicines used to treat HIV infection. Diarrhea is experienced by many HIV/AIDS patients and is a common reason why patients discontinue or switch their antiretroviral therapies.

November 30, 2012

OraSure prepares nationwide TV promotion campaign for in-home HIV test

HIV test maker OraSure Technologies has appointed a new executive to head its consumer marketing division as it prepares to launch a nationwide TV campaign on Saturday.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — HIV test maker OraSure Technologies has appointed a new executive to head its consumer marketing division as it prepares to launch a nationwide TV campaign on Saturday.

The TV campaign will be timed to coincide with World AIDS Day on Saturday and will air on MTV, A&E, BET, E!, Bravo and Logo, as well as on the NBC reality show "The Voice" on Dec. 17.

November 29, 2012

PhRMA: More than 70 drugs, vaccines under development for HIV/AIDS

Drug companies have made "remarkable progress" in treatment options for patients with HIV and AIDS, according to two new reports from a drug industry trade group.

WASHINGTON — Drug companies have made "remarkable progress" in treatment options for patients with HIV and AIDS, according to two new reports from a drug industry trade group.

November 28, 2012

Walgreens to focus on importance of HIV testing, early treatment on World AIDS Day

On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Walgreens will encourage communities to focus on the importance of HIV testing and early treatment, both services addressed through its more than 700 HIV-specialized pharmacies coast to coast, the company announced Wednesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Walgreens will encourage communities to focus on the importance of HIV testing and early treatment, both services addressed through its more than 700 HIV-specialized pharmacies coast to coast, the company announced Wednesday.

October 11, 2012

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals hears Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cut case

A coalition — which includes the California Medical Association, the California Dental Association, California Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, California Association of Medical Product Suppliers, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and American Medical Response — continues to work to block the state of California from cutting Medi-Cal reimbursement rates by 10%.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A coalition — which includes the California Medical Association, the California Dental Association, California Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, California Association of Medical Product Suppliers, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and American Medical Response — continues to work to block the state of California from cutting Medi-Cal reimbursement rates by 10%.

September 12, 2012

New, simplified HIV patient-assistance program application offered

Drug maker Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday that patients applying for its HIV drug assistance program would have a more streamlined application process.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Drug maker Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday that patients applying for its HIV drug assistance program would have a more streamlined application process.

September 5, 2012

FDA delays action on Salix drug

The Food and Drug Administration will not decide whether to approve a drug for diarrhea in HIV patients as it continues to review the regulatory approval application for it, the drug's manufacturer said.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Food and Drug Administration will not decide whether to approve a drug for diarrhea in HIV patients as it continues to review the regulatory approval application for it, the drug's manufacturer said.

Salix Pharmaceuticals said the FDA was still reviewing its application for crofelemer in the 125-mg strength. The agency was originally expected to take action on the drug Wednesday. Crofelemer is meant for treating noninfectious diarrhea in HIV and AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy.

August 21, 2012

AIDS Healthcare Foundation acquires MOMS Pharmacy

The largest nonprofit organization focused on HIV and AIDS has acquired a group of specialty pharmacies.

LOS ANGELES — The largest nonprofit organization focused on HIV and AIDS has acquired a group of specialty pharmacies.

August 6, 2012

Mylan launches Indian operations

Generic drug maker Mylan has begun commercial operations in India, focusing on drugs to treat HIV and AIDS, the company said Monday.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has begun commercial operations in India, focusing on drugs to treat HIV and AIDS, the company said Monday.

The company is launching 18 antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS in India, which has the world's third-largest population of people with the disease, according to the National AIDS Control Organization.

August 3, 2012

Mylan, Gilead sign HIV/AIDS drug deal

Mylan and Gilead Sciences have made an agreement under which Mylan will have rights to produce and market generic versions of Gilead drugs for HIV and AIDS in developing countries.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan and Gilead Sciences have made an agreement under which Mylan will have rights to produce and market generic versions of Gilead drugs for HIV and AIDS in developing countries.

The agreement, involving Gilead and Mylan subsidiary Mylan Labs Ltd., centers around drugs containing emtricitabine, the active ingredient in such drugs as Emtriva, and such fixed-dose combinations as Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and the experimental Quad.

July 24, 2012

Walgreens develops MTM for HIV patients in pilot with HHS

Walgreens on Tuesday announced plans to work with the Department of Health and Human Services on the development of a medication therapy management program to help improve outcomes for HIV patients.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced plans to work with the Department of Health and Human Services on the development of a medication therapy management program to help improve outcomes for HIV patients. The multiyear program will examine the impact of MTM intervention in the community pharmacy setting, with Walgreens anticipating to provide nearly $1 million in in-kind services.

July 16, 2012

Chains step into HIV/AIDS prevention

Stopping a viral pandemic of any kind presents a major challenge that historically has often taken decades or even centuries, as occurred in the cases of polio and smallpox. But stopping or even slowing a pandemic is made all the more difficult when people who carry the virus face stigma and ignorance from their families, communities and governments. 

July 9, 2012

Community pharmacies could have advantage in HIV

After it was first identified as the cause of AIDS in 1983, being diagnosed with an HIV infection was a literal death sentence, and it remains that way for many people in poor countries who lack access to the life-saving medications that have transformed HIV from a sure ticket to death into a chronic illness.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — After it was first identified as the cause of AIDS in 1983, being diagnosed with an HIV infection was a literal death sentence, and it remains that way for many people in poor countries who lack access to the life-saving medications that have transformed HIV from a sure ticket to death into a chronic illness.

July 6, 2012

D.C. health department creates new pharmacy network for HIV drug-assistance program

All drugs provided to HIV and AIDS patients under the District of Columbia's AIDS Drug Assistance Program will go through a new pharmacy network that includes Walgreens, the D.C. Department of Health said.

WASHINGTON — All drugs provided to HIV and AIDS patients under the District of Columbia's AIDS Drug Assistance Program will go through a new pharmacy network that includes Walgreens, the D.C. Department of Health said.

July 3, 2012

FDA approves OTC HIV test

The Food and Drug Administration has approved over-the-counter sales of a test for the virus that causes AIDS, the agency said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved over-the-counter sales of a test for the virus that causes AIDS, the agency said Tuesday.

The FDA announced the approval of the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, calling it the first OTC, self-administered HIV test kit that detects the presence of antibodies to HIV, including the HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains.

July 2, 2012

HIV testing at pharmacies increases accessibility, but creates challenges as well

Retail pharmacies have been offering testing for diseases ranging from high cholesterol to cancer for years, but offering HIV testing presents a whole new realm of possibilities and challenges.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Retail pharmacies have been offering testing for diseases ranging from high cholesterol to cancer for years, but offering HIV testing presents a whole new realm of possibilities and challenges.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens to provide free HIV testing in CDC pilot. For the full story, click here.)

June 26, 2012

Walgreens to provide free HIV testing in CDC pilot

Walgreens is partnering with health authorities and service organizations to provide pharmacist-administered testing for the virus that causes AIDS, the retail pharmacy chain said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is partnering with health authorities and service organizations to provide pharmacist-administered testing for the virus that causes AIDS, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The company is participating in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pilot with Greater Than AIDS and other organizations and local officials to expand HIV testing services and connect more people with the virus to treatment and care.

June 18, 2012

Walgreens, Greater Than AIDS to provide free HIV testing

Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS, a coalition of public and private sector partners united in response to the domestic epidemic, are teaming with health departments and local AIDS organizations to provide free HIV testing at 47 Walgreens stores in 20 cities across the nation in June in support of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, the companies announced last week.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS, a coalition of public and private sector partners united in response to the domestic epidemic, are teaming with health departments and local AIDS organizations to provide free HIV testing at 47 Walgreens stores in 20 cities across the nation in June in support of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, the companies announced last week.

May 11, 2012

FDA advisory committee recommends PrEP approval for Truvada

An expert panel at the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that the agency approve a drug made by Gilead Sciences for lowering the risk of infection by the virus that causes AIDS.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — An expert panel at the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that the agency approve a drug made by Gilead Sciences for lowering the risk of infection by the virus that causes AIDS.

May 11, 2012

Survey: Consumers would support an OTC test for HIV

As many as 74% of consumers would support a rapid, oral swab HIV test available over the counter, according to a survey released Friday by Who's Positive, a national HIV awareness organization.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As many as 74% of consumers would support a rapid, oral swab HIV test available over the counter, according to a survey released Friday by Who's Positive, a national HIV awareness organization.