Kathie Hiers: What are you excited about in the fight against HIV/AIDS?

We have made amazing advances in the field of HIV in the last 33 years.  Everyone knows how much better the medications are.  Antiretroviral therapy (ART) today has fewer side effects, reduced pill burdens, and better efficacy.  And then our world was turned upside down by the incredible discovery of HIV Prevention Trials Network 052!  We now know that persons living with HIV who are successful on and adherent to ART and who reach an undetectable viral load essentially cannot transmit the disease to others.  As a result, providers are scrambling to make sure that folks know their status, that all positive persons have access to medications, and that we help people to succeed in medical care. This last and critical step, helping patients to succeed on their medications, requires a lot of different kinds of support.  For many people living with HIV disease, other issues and comorbidities may take precedence.  For example, a person without a stable, safe housing environment may not be able to adhere to medications.  Research has proven that decent and affordable housing is critical to successful medical outcomes and to reductions in risky behaviors.  If a person also lives with hepatitis C or other life-threatening disease states, then those health conditions must also be treated.  If mental health or substance use issues are involved, then these complications must also be addressed in order to maximize the benefits of excellent medications.  We also don’t want to â...
Source: PHRMA - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news