More Patients To Get Drug? (Press, 2 March 1988)
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Summary: More Patients To Get Drug? (Press, 2 March 1988)
On 2 March 1988, it was reported that the A.I.D.S. Advisory Committee in New Zealand proposed recommendations to the Government that could significantly increase the number of patients eligible for the life-prolonging drug Retrovir, also known as A.Z.T. Currently, only 14 individuals in New Zealand are receiving treatment with this medication. The committee, which includes members from the Health Department, is advocating for the guidelines regarding Retrovir's use to be broadened to include patients exhibiting early A.I.D.S.-related symptoms. If the Minister of Health, Mr. Cavgiil, approves these recommendations, it is expected that three to four times the current number of patients will qualify for treatment. The cost of administering Retrovir is approximately $12,000 per patient annually, not including additional expenses associated with hospitalisation and necessary medical follow-ups. Originally developed for cancer treatment, Retrovir has since been discovered to have beneficial effects for A.I.D.S. patients. Initially, it was believed that only those suffering from a specific type of pneumonia, which is common among A.I.D.S. patients, would benefit from the drug. However, research from England has indicated that individuals with various A.I.D.S.-related complications can also experience advantages from Retrovir. Clinical tests have revealed that the drug can dramatically reduce the 12-month mortality rate for A.I.D.S. patients from 60 per cent to just 10 per cent. Patients using Retrovir for three to four months have shown regression in symptoms, along with gains in weight and energy, reduced sweating, and fewer instances of infections. These promising developments highlight the drug's potential and the importance of broadening access to it for more individuals affected by A.I.D.S. in New Zealand.
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