 |  | What's New? |  | | Breakthrough HIV Study A significant development in the fight against AIDS was announced last week out of Thailand. The trial studied 16,000 volunteers in what has become the world's largest trial of its kind to date. Participants were given a 2 part vaccine that turned out to be effective in decreasing the risk of becoming infected with HIV by 31%.
The vaccine is made up of six shots, a combination of both ALVAC (developed by Sanofi Pasteur) and AIDSVAX (owned by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases). Both of these had been used in previous studies without success, but had never been tested in combination. The vaccines both primed and strengthened the immune system.
The results of this new test are the first indication that it may be possible to prevent HIV and AIDS.
Although these results are promising, they are still very preliminary. The study was conducted on only one particular strain of HIV, so it is unclear if it would be universally effective. Also of note, the vaccines themselves have been tested and cannot give the recipient HIV. More details will be released next month on the study. For more information in the mean time, visit
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Health Care Benefits From Billion Dollar Lawsuit Ontario has become the latest province to take action against tobacco companies for cancer related treatment costs. Under the Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, the province is attempting to recoup funds spent from 1955 to present.
The lawsuit "which is to the tune of $50 billion" is aimed at recovering taxpayer dollars spent treating tobacco related illnesses.
Other provinces that have similar legislation are British Columbia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. BC is currently in the middle of a trial to reclaim costs, and if the province is successful, it sets the groundwork for others to do the same.
The United States has also pursued similar action. In 1999, a 50 state agreement was reached in which tobacco companies agreed to pay $246 billion for health care costs resulting from use of tobacco products.
Each provincial government has more information on the Act. | | | | |
