Bristol-Myers Squibb Extends Financial Support For AIDS Drug Assistance Programs – Bristol-Myers Squibb, maker of the antiretroviral drugs Reyataz (atazanavir) and Sustiva (efavirenz), announced this week that it will offer additional multi-year financial support for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs). ADAPs are state programs that provide access to antiretroviral drugs for low-income people with HIV. Bristol-Myers Squibb also manages its own programs for assisting eligible patients. For more information, please see the Bristol-Myers Squibb press release.

Survey Finds Gaps In Communication Between HIV/AIDS Patients And Doctors – An AIDS Treatment for Life International Survey of over 2,000 HIV-positive patients worldwide found that although two-thirds of people with HIV also have other conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, communication with their doctors about these conditions is limited. Only half of the patients surveyed had discussed past medical conditions with their doctor; a quarter of patients had never told their doctors about drug side effects they were experiencing. The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC), which conducted the study, urged doctors to more thoroughly discuss their patients’ other health concerns at medical visits. For more information, please see the IAPAC (pdf) press release.

Clinical Trial Tests Efficacy Of Probiotics On Immune Function In HIV-Positive Adults – A new clinical trial at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is testing whether a strain of the probiotic bacteria Bacillus coagulans can help increase CD4 (white blood cell) counts in people with HIV. The three month study is based on results in Africa showing that probiotic yogurt increased CD4 counts; however, it is not known if the results will also hold for Americans, who have better access to a nutritious diet. Researchers hope the probiotics will work indirectly to boost the immune system by reducing leakage of harmful bacteria from the intestines. For more information, please visit the Sustenex website.