PozLiving

The First AIDS Generation: Grappling With Why We're Alive And What It Means

All of us who were in the trenches of the AIDS war are today dealing with the grief and the survivor guilt. Many are grappling with deeper scars and something akin to post-traumatic stress. But unlike for veterans of other wars, there isn’t any built-in support system for us.

beautiful music.

I live listening to beautiful instrumental music. But they make me start daydreaming about falling in love and then I realize that I am not in love with anyone. I want to love. When will my person show up?

Entrepreneurs say the FDA is killing medical innovation

Venture capital is drying up for early-stage medical devices. Experts say that American patients are already “missing out” on the most innovative treatment options.

FDA rejects two of the four drugs in Gilead's blockbuster HIV drug Stribild

The refusals for elvitegravir and cobicistat on a standalone basis were triggered after inspectors were left shaking their heads following a checkup on Gilead’s “documentation and validation of certain quality testing procedures and methods.”

Reviewing Strategies for Draining HIV Reservoirs - Michael Palm HIV Basic Science, Vaccines, and Prevention Project Weblog

The April issue of Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics features an excellent open access review by Thomas Rasmussen and colleagues describing approaches to eliminating HIV reservoirs that are advancing into clinical trials. Prominently featured are histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which have…

So true.

(Source: pao7195)

HIV Cure Could Come Within Months, Say Scientists

Breakthrough could come “within months”, according to researchers conducting clinical trials of new treatment.

New York has the highest reported incidence of the disease in the U.S. so Red Hot.org devised a way to remind people to practice safe sex.

Hitler Baneo Núñez, Peruvian Father, Allegedly Set Fire To Gay, HIV-Positive Son

A Peruvian father faces allegations that he doused his son with gasoline and set him on fire after learning the 22-year-old was gay and HIV-positive.

This is horrible.

“A Peruvian father faces allegations that he doused his son with gasoline and set him on fire after learning the 22-year-old was gay and HIV-positive.

According to the Peruvian daily newspaper La Región, Hitler Baneo Núñez, 49, allegedly tried to burn the victim (identified in reports only by his initials R.B.P.) alive after becoming tired of neighbor’s jokes about his son’s sexuality.

Though neighbors helped save R.B.P., the young man ended up with his face, arms and parts of his legs burnt, according to the report. Not only is R.B.P. HIV positive, he also reportedly has tuberculosis…”

via Huffington Post

Elizabeth Taylor's Grandson Continues Her Fight Against HIV And AIDS

“The grandson of Elizabeth Taylor, Quinn Tivey, is carrying on her legacy with GenerationCURE, a campaign aligned with amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research…”

via BuzzFeed LGBT

pozmagazine:

The Big Treatment Questions

When do experts recommend starting treatment and which antiretrovirals should you take first?
When should you change your treatments and which drugs should you switch to?
What is drug resistance?
Can you take a break from treatment?
& more.

Preparing for Generics

“The United States is on course for some much-needed economic relief from the crippling cost of HIV treatment, with the anticipated arrival of generic versions of guidelines- preferred antiretrovirals. However, much preparation is required to maximize price competition, maintain patient choice, and ensure that savings are used to the advantage of people living with HIV.

With the patent expiration of efavirenz sometime this year, a generic-based regimen comparable to Atripla is on the horizon: efavirenz combined with lamivudine and branded tenofovir (Viread). According to recent mathematical modeling conducted by Rochelle Walensky of Harvard Medical School and colleagues, the U.S. health care system savings associated with this regimen could be up to $560 million in the first year alone; a regimen containing three generics would save up to $920 million.

The study has stirred up a much-needed dialogue on coming generics, but it has also come under criticism for its projection of reduced efficacy using efavirenz/lamivudine/Viread: a switch could shorten life expectancy by 4.4 months. The model based this projection on data showing lamivudine to be not as potent as emtricitabine in Atripla, though a recent analysis by the World Health Organization suggests this is likely unfounded, particularly when powerful agents like efavirenz and tenofovir are used. Another concern is that a switch from a single-tablet regimen to a three-tablet (albeit once-daily) regimen will affect adherence, yet as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and others have noted, there are surprisingly few data to confirm this hypothesis…”

amfAR Welcomes Increased AIDS Funding in President’s Budget Proposal, Including Important Increase for Global Fund

“amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, on Wednesday welcomed the President’s fiscal year 2014 budget proposal, which includes increases in funding for AIDS research and domestic programming, and a significant increase for the Global Fundto Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, compared to the fiscal year 2012 budget. But the Foundation raised concern about the President’s continued proposed reductions for bilateral HIV/AIDS funding through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)…”

South Africa’s New Super Affordable Pill Could Revolutionize AIDS Treatment

“South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced a new affordable single dose treatment that could possibly revolutionize treatment of HIV/AIDS in the country. The three-in-one anti-retroviral combination will cost each patient a record low $10 per dose…”