Articles tagged with: Funding
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NeurogesX Applies For Approval Of Qutenza For HIV-Related Neuropathy Pain – Biopharmaceutical company NeurogesX has filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of Qutenza to be used for treating pain associated with HIV-related neuropathy, a condition that causes pain, numbness, burning, or tingling in the extremities. Qutenza is a capsaicin patch that is placed on the skin for 30 minutes. It is currently approved for treatment of nerve pain due to shingles. NeurogesX has applied for a priority review of its application; if granted, the FDA would review the application within six months instead of the standard 10 months. For more information, please see the NeurogesX press release.
New HIV Vaccine Approach Shows Promise – Researchers from several U.S. medical centers have collaborated to create an HIV vaccine that strongly binds to and activates immune cells to destroy HIV. The vaccine was tested in monkeys and better stimulated their immune systems to create antibodies against HIV as compared to previous vaccine methods. Antibodies recognize bacteria and viruses and signal for the immune system to destroy the infectious agents. For more information, see the study in PLoS Pathogens or the Duke University Medical Center press release.
Texas HIV/AIDS Programs Face Significant Cuts In Federal Funding – As in many other states, federal funds for HIV care through the Ryan White Care Act have been cut and delayed in Texas. As a result, AIDS Resources of Rural Texas has closed, sending its clients to other North Texas HIV/AIDS organizations, which are also facing the same funding issues. Also due to funding problems, the AIDS Outreach Center in Fort Worth has had to reduce its number of case workers and scale back its food pantry. So far, there is no indication that the U.S. government will increase funding for agencies that help clients displaced by the closure. For more information, please see the related article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Theratechnologies Applies For Approval Of Egrifta In Argentina And Brazil – Theratechnologies, via an affiliate of its partner Sanofi, has applied for marketing approval of Egrifta (tesamorelin) in Argentina and Brazil. If approved, Egrifta will be the first drug in these countries to treat lipodystrophy, a condition of abnormal fat distribution that is a side effect of certain anti-HIV medications. Based on average approval times, a decision would be expected in early 2012 in Argentina and late 2012 in Brazil. Egrifta was approved in the U.S. in November of last year, and Theratechnologies’ partners have since applied for approval in Europe, Israel, and Canada. For more information, please see the Theratechnologies press releases for Argentina and Brazil.
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A new pilot program at Rikers Island jail in New York, called the “Point of Service” (POS) program, will attempt to increase the number of inmates who know their HIV status so they can initiate treatment if they test positive.
“The goal of the program is to increase the number of people who know their HIV status while in jail so that they can take advantage of treatment, medications, and discharge planning, including connection to care upon release,” said Alison Jordan, Executive Director of Transitional Health Care Coordination in New…
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Free HIV Testing Offered At Washington, D.C., DMV – On October 5, the Penn Branch of the Washington, D.C., Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) began offering free HIV testing to customers as they wait. Participants receive the results in 20 minutes, along with up to $15 to help pay for their DMV services. Immediate counseling and medical care are also available. The program is a joint effort between the D.C.-area non-profit organization Family and Medical Counseling Service, the Penn Branch DMV, and Gilead Sciences, which has provided the funding. For more information, please see The Washington Post.
October 15 Is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day – October 15 marks the eighth National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the impact of HIV and AIDS on the Latino community, with a focus on prevention and HIV testing efforts for Latino men and women. In a statement commemorating the day, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, noted that Latino men and women have the second highest death rate from HIV and AIDS of all ethnic groups. He also recognized the high clinical trial participation rates for Latinos, which help bring new research and treatments to the HIV/AIDS population. For more information, please see the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day website.
NIAID To Hold Public Meeting On Restructuring Its HIV/AIDS Clinical Trial Networks – The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is hosting a public meeting on October 26 in Arlington, VA to discuss the future of the organization’s clinical trial networks. NIAID seeks to expand its networks to include clinical research on other major infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and hepatitis, that are common in people with HIV. Discussion will center on expectations for the networks, possible changes in structure, research priorities, collaborative opportunities, and information about the upcoming application process. Presently, NIAID supports six HIV/AIDS networks; their funding expires in 2013 and 2014. For more information or to register to attend the meeting, please see the NIAID website.
United States Pledges $4 Billion For Global Fund To Fight HIV/AIDS – The Obama Administration announced last week that it will support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria by contributing $4 billion over the next 3 years. However, the Administration also called for reforms to the Fund in specific areas, such as grant management and accountability, more effective investments, and increased contributions from other donor nations. The Fund provides prevention efforts and treatment for people living in low-income countries. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of State website.
For a more detailed listing of HIV/AIDS related events, please check the AIDS Beacon Events Calendar.
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A new government website, Healthcare.gov, offers information about insurance options created by the recent health care reform act, including the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).
The website, created by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, features a “Find Insurance Options” tool to help patients find the health insurance best suited to their needs, including the PCIP program.
A pre-existing condition is defined as a medical condition that exists before a patient enrolls in a new health insurance plan. Conditions that a person has received treatment for, or…
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The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) announced this month that state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) are facing “a perfect storm” of financial stresses due to the economic recession.
The result has been budget shortfalls and a series of cutbacks in state ADAP programs around the country.
ADAPs are programs that provide antiretroviral drugs to low-income Americans living with HIV.
Although run by states, the majority of ADAP funding usually comes from the federal government through the Ryan White Program. State contributions typically account for 15…