CDC: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

Injection Drug Users (IDUs) in the United States (U.S.) are at increased risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Despite a recent reduction in the number of HIV infections attributed to injecting drug use in the U.S., IDUs remain a substantial proportion of those becoming infected with HIV. In 2009, 9% of new HIV infections in the U.S. occurred among IDUs.

To monitor HIV-associated behaviors and HIV prevalence among IDUs, CDC’s National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) conducts interviews and HIV testing in selected metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). NHBS is a behavioral surveillance system used to monitor prevalence and trends in 1) HIV-related risk behaviors, 2) HIV testing, and 3) use of HIV prevention services among populations at high risk for acquiring HIV, including MSM, injection-drug users, and heterosexuals at increased risk for HIV infection. Data are collected in annual cycles from one risk group per year so that each group is surveyed once every 3 years. This report summarizes data from 10,073 IDUs interviewed and tested in 20 MSAs in 2009 as part of NHBS.

The report shares increased evidence of risk behaviors for persons at high risk for HIV infection. Of IDUs recruited in 20 U.S. cities, 9% tested positive for HIV, of whom 45% were unaware of their infection. Among those at risk of acquiring HIV infection, 34% reported sharing syringes and 69% reported having unprotected vaginal sex in the past 12 months. Less than half the IDUs reported having been tested for HIV (49%) or participating in a behavioral intervention (19%) during the same time period. HIV infection among IDUs in the U.S. remains a significant challenge. Although incidence data show that HIV incidence among IDUs is low, these data suggest that risk behaviors and lack of awareness of infection remain high.

Given the prevalence of drug and sexual risk behaviors among IDUs, efforts should be made to provide HIV prevention for IDUs – such as increased access to HIV testing, sterile syringes, and condoms.  Multiple reviews find that Syringe Exchange Programs (SEPs) can reduce needle sharing among IDUs, resulting in positive behavior change that can reduce HIV transmission. The reviews also note that SEPs do not result in negative consequences such as increases in injection frequency, in injection drug use, or in unsafe disposal of needles in the community.  SEPs can also provide a positive pathway to prevention for substance abusing persons. Proven prevention strategies remain critical for those at high risk for HIV, such as individuals with multiple sex partners, those in relationships with HIV-positive individuals and IDUs.

 Click here to read the full report

The British HIV Association (BHIVA) today recommends that doctors should discuss the evidence for the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment as prevention with all patients with HIV, and that it should be offered those who want to protect their partners from the risk of HIV infection – even if they have no immediate clinical need for treatment themselves.

See a review of these guidelines on Aidsmap.com

Visit the COLORS website or Facebook page for more information.

In response to the recent news article:  FDA GIVES PRIORITY REVIEW OF TRUVADA AS PREP

AHF Challenges FDA Move to Fast Track Gileads HIV Prevention Drug

Decision to grant expedited review of drug application comes just days after release of study showing the drug, Truvada, is associated with significant risk of kidney damage and disease that increases over time.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the nation’s largest HIV/AIDS nonprofit medical provider, today expressed its disappointment and dismay at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to grant an expedited review for Gilead Sciences’ application for expanded use of its blockbuster AIDS drug, Truvada, as a means of preventing HIV infection in non-infected people.  AHF has long voiced concerns that such a use would actually increase HIV infections, and the announcement comes just days after researchers reported that a component of Truvada (which is a combination containing two Gilead drugs—tenofovir DF + emtricitabine—in one tablet), is linked to a significant risk of kidney disease and damage.  Most alarmingly, the risk remains even after people stop taking the drug.

Click HERE to read the full article on aidshealth.org

Thank you AIDSmeds for this interesting article!

New mathematical modeling conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Johns Hopkins researchers underscores how important it is to get all people unknowingly living with HIV in the United States tested and into care. According to a brief report published online ahead of print by the journal AIDS, roughly half of new HIV infections originate with the 20 percent of people living with the virus and are unaware of their infection.

Click here to read the full article.

S.Africa, Swiss firm Lonza in $211 mln drug JV

South Africa will establish its first pharmaceutical plant to manufacture the main chemicals used in HIV drugs in an effort to lower the prices of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, Reuters reports. The $211 million joint venture with Swiss chemical and biotechnology company Lonza Group will enable the country to produce Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), components that account for about 75 percent of the finished drug dosage. The plant is a step toward producing ARVs in the country by 2016 to support the nearly 5.7 million people with HIV in South Africa.

As seen on POZ.com.  To read the Reuters article, click here.  

U.S. FDA Grants Priority Review for Truvada® for Reducing the Risk of Acquiring HIV Infection

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted Gilead Sciences’ application to give priority review of Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), according to a Gilead statement. This PrEP is when an HIV-negative person takes a daily dose of Truvada as a means to lower the chance of contracting the virus during sex. The FDA grants fast-track appraisal to drug applicants that demonstrate major advances in treatment or provide a treatment where no adequate or current therapy exists. Approval of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) will be discussed at the FDA Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee in May. The target review date is June 15.

To read the Gilead statement, click here.