Content about Immunodeficiency

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

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 16, 2012

Gilead's Truvada approved for PrEP

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug used to treat HIV for reducing the risk of HIV infection, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug used to treat HIV for reducing the risk of HIV infection, the agency said Monday.

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.

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 9, 2012

Reports: FDA may be close to approving drug for HIV prevention

The Food and Drug Administration may be close to approving a drug for preventing HIV infection, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration may be close to approving a drug for preventing HIV infection, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported that the FDA had said Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), made by Gilead Sciences, appeared to be safe and effective for preventing HIV infection when taken daily. An FDA advisory committee will review the drug and decide whether to recommend its approval for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.

April 5, 2012

FDA advisory committee to review OTC availability of HIV test in May

OraSure Technologies on Wednesday announced that the Food and Drug Administration's Blood Products Advisory Committee will consider making its OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 test available over the counter on May 15.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — OraSure Technologies on Wednesday announced that the Food and Drug Administration's Blood Products Advisory Committee will consider making its OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 test available over the counter on May 15.

At the meeting, OraSure will present its consumer-usage studies — approximately 5,800 subjects were enrolled and tested in this phase across 20 states, the company said, which helped identify more than 100 previously undiagnosed individuals.

February 23, 2012

Mylan receives tentative approval for HIV/AIDS drug in developing countries

The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to a division of Mylan for a generic drug for treating HIV and AIDS in children in developing countries.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to a division of Mylan for a generic drug for treating HIV and AIDS in children in developing countries.

Mylan said Thursday that the FDA had tentatively approved Mylan Labs' abacavir sulfate and lamivudine tablets in the 60 mg/30 mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Viiv Healthcare's Epzicom and was approved under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The drug will only be available for purchase in certain developing countries outside the United States.

December 20, 2011

WHO approves Mylan generic HIV drugs for use in developing world

The World Health Organization has approved three generic second-line treatments for HIV made by Mylan, the drug maker said Tuesday. The drugs will be delivered to people in developing countries living with HIV and AIDS.

PITTSBURGH — The World Health Organization has approved three generic second-line treatments for HIV made by Mylan, the drug maker said Tuesday. The drugs will be delivered to people in developing countries living with HIV and AIDS.

December 16, 2011

STDs becoming more prevalent across baby boomer demographic

According to an article in the November/December issue of the journal Medical-Surgical Nursing, rates of HIV/AIDS, herpes, syphilis, human papilloma virus and other STDs are climbing steadily across men and women older than 50 years.

PITMAN, N.J. — According to an article in the November/December issue of the journal Medical-Surgical Nursing, rates of HIV/AIDS, herpes, syphilis, human papilloma virus and other STDs are climbing steadily across men and women older than 50 years.

November 10, 2011

Walgreens fields 500-plus HIV Centers of Excellence pharmacies

Walgreens now has certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence in communities highly impacted by HIV, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pharmacy operator announced Thursday at the U.S. Conference on AIDS.

CHICAGO — Walgreens now has certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence in communities highly impacted by HIV, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pharmacy operator announced Thursday at the U.S. Conference on AIDS.

November 7, 2011

Walgreens joins Magic Johnson Foundation on Point Forward Day

The Magic Johnson Foundation on Monday initiated Point Forward Day, marking 20 years to the date that Johnson announced his HIV status and subsequent retirement from the National Basketball Association.

LOS ANGELES — The Magic Johnson Foundation on Monday initiated Point Forward Day, marking 20 years to the date that Johnson announced his HIV status and subsequent retirement from the National Basketball Association.

In partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, MJF will host free confidential testing events at retailers, including Walgreens in Chicago. At select locations, testing will include participation from government officials, dignitaries and athletes who will lead their communities by getting tested first at on site mobile units.

November 4, 2011

Octapharma USA to reintroduce immune disorder drug

The Food and Drug Administration has cleared the way for the return to market of a drug for treating immunodeficiency diseases following its recall by the manufacturer in response to patients developing internal blood clots.

HOBOKEN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has cleared the way for the return to market of a drug for treating immunodeficiency diseases following its recall by the manufacturer in response to patients developing internal blood clots.

September 22, 2011

J&J HIV drug shows fewer side effects in trial data analysis

A new study has found that a recently approved drug for HIV produces fewer unpleasant side effects during the first three months of therapy than the standard treatment, according to published reports.

CHICAGO — A new study has found that a recently approved drug for HIV produces fewer unpleasant side effects during the first three months of therapy than the standard treatment, according to published reports.

September 20, 2011

Under PEPFAR, Matrix granted tentative approval for novel co-packaged HIV/AIDS treatment

Mylan subsidiary Matrix Labs has received tentative approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its new drug application of a co-packaged antiretroviral treatment under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan subsidiary Matrix Labs has received tentative approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its new drug application of a co-packaged antiretroviral treatment under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

September 19, 2011

Merck drug for HIV effective, tolerated, study results show

A drug made by Merck for treating HIV infection was effective and tolerated in patients regardless of their gender or race, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

CHICAGO — A drug made by Merck for treating HIV infection was effective and tolerated in patients regardless of their gender or race, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

August 16, 2011

Events to raise awareness of AIDS, healthcare initiatives

The Community Education Group and the Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services will sponsor a series of community mobilizing events around the country in the time leading up to the International AIDS Conference in Washington next July.

WASHINGTON — The Community Education Group and the Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services will sponsor a series of community mobilizing events around the country in the time leading up to the International AIDS Conference in Washington next July.

July 18, 2011

Minimal drug interaction found between Livalo, HIV drugs

A statin made by Eli Lilly and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America appears to work well with drugs used to treat HIV, according to a study presented at the sixth International AIDS Society conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Rome.

INDIANAPOLIS — A statin made by Eli Lilly and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America appears to work well with drugs used to treat HIV, according to a study presented at the sixth International AIDS Society conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Rome.

The study was designed to investigate potential interactions between Livalo (pitavastatin) and Abbott’s antiretroviral protease inhibitor Kaletra (lopinavir and ritonavir). The study found that each drug had only a minimal effect on the other.

July 14, 2011

Merck partners with universities to research ways to eradicate HIV

A team comprised of scientists from drug maker Merck and several U.S. universities will look for ways to eradicate HIV, Merck said.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A team comprised of scientists from drug maker Merck and several U.S. universities will look for ways to eradicate HIV, Merck said.