Full-scale tests begin soon in SA on better‚ safer and cheaper HIV treatment
AIDS experts say a study starting in Johannesburg next month could lead to better‚ safer and cheaper HIV treatment. In the best-case scenario‚ two new drug combinations could by 2019 treat an additional 2-million people without an increase in cost. Writing in the January issue of the SA Medical Journal‚ 23 experts express excitement about the possibilities of the study — dubbed Advance — which will involve 1,100 participants over 96 weeks. "In an age of escalating medical costs‚ we are seldom presented with a win-win scenario with regard to clinical care‚" they say. "If successful‚ patients will benefit with a much safer and more forgiving regimen in a smaller tablet‚ government and other funds will save money while pharmaceutical producers will have simplified manufacturing‚ using lower volumes of active … ingredients. "The clinical studies and registration processes to secure inclusion of these two new drugs‚ if successful‚ would be a huge South African victory."
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