The first in a new class of HIV medications needed by people whose HIV infection has become resistant to existing drugs must be made available free of charge as soon as possible after it is formally registered for use in New Zealand, according to HIV support group Body Positive Auckland. Raltegravir, an integrase inhibitor which interferes with HIV's reproduction process in a different manner to previous drugs, has been available on free 'compassionate access' while it awaits registration by government agency Medsafe for use in New Zealand. A spokesperson for manufacturer Merck Sharpe says that as Raltegravir is a new class of treatment for HIV, "we are very interested in reviewing an application for funding. Should Medsafe approve this medicine, we will consider the funding application through our usual process." For its part, Merck says once registration is obtained it will be pursing the matter "with urgency." Footnote: "Compassionate access" is an informal term for a provision under Section 29 of the Medicines Act making unregistered treatments available to patients who have a life threatening disease and who cannot be satisfactorily treated with an alternative therapy or available drugs. It is used when drugs are not registered in New Zealand.