Expectations ‘too High’ For A.I.D.S. Drug (Press, 11 June 1987)
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Summary: Expectations ‘too High’ For A.I.D.S. Drug (Press, 11 June 1987)
In June 1987, Dr Daniel Barbara, director of the A.I.D.S. clinic at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of the A.Z.T. drug in treating A.I.D.S. after results from clinical trials raised expectations too high. His remarks followed a clinical trial carried out by Burroughs Wellcome Company, which revealed that only one out of 144 A.I.D.S. patients died during the trial, compared to 16 out of 137 patients who received placebos. This led to optimism about the drug's potential to significantly combat the disease. Dr Barbara reported that among his patients taking A.Z.T., 13 out of 37 had died, indicating a concerning mortality rate of about 35 per cent. He noted that many of these patients had not adhered to the minimum recommended duration of the drug regimen. Nevertheless, he acknowledged some positive outcomes, suggesting that A.Z.T. appeared to be more effective in less advanced cases of the disease. At San Francisco General Hospital, where A.Z.T. had been administered to 70 patients since November, only one patient had died. However, a significant number of patients—32—had to discontinue the drug due to adverse side effects or new infections. A.Z.T., known scientifically as azidothymidine, is recognised for its potent antiviral properties, but it is also highly toxic, suppressing red blood cell production and causing side effects such as fever, nausea, and severe headaches. Overall, the tone of the reports emphasised a cautious approach towards the drug, reflecting the complex realities of A.I.D.S. treatment and the challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers alike.
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