The New Zealand AIDS Foundation is welcoming Pharmac's approval of the “revolutionary” new HIV medication Fuzeon (AKA enfuvirtide or T20). It is a new type of drug called an ‘entry inhibitor', which blocks the HIV virus outside the body's cells, rather than attempting to treat it once it is already inside. It will be of most benefit to HIV-positive people who are failing their current treatment regimes, says the NZAF. “A significant number of the 1700 people living with HIV in New Zealand today are receiving antiretroviral medications, and will need access to new treatments as their virus develops resistance,” says NZAF Positive Health Manager Eamonn Smyth. “The ability to have alternative medications available is one that can mean the difference between life and death for some.” The NZAF says they are pleased Pharmac's approval process for Fuzeon took only half the time of the last anti-HIV drug, Kaletra, which took almost three years to become fully available. “This hopefully bodes well for two other medications awaiting funding, Reyataz and Tenofovir, which have been available in Australia for two and four years respectively,” Smythe says. “Both these medications are needed by people living today here in New Zealand, and are widely used elsewhere in the world.” Ref: GayNZ.com (d)