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Author Topic: Sex workers threaten to block Bill Gates HIV study
Pimji
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Babbler # 228

posted 26 March 2004 07:48 AM      Profile for Pimji   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Sex workers threaten to block Bill Gates HIV study
quote:
The research, funded by Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, will test the drug tenofovir as a potential protection against HIV. The possibility of finding a pill that can safely prevent HIV infection is causing a ripple among the international community as currently no HIV prevention medicine exists.


quote:
A study to test a possible HIV prevention medicine is raising concerns among Cambodian sex workers, who say the program poses risks to their health and offers no compensation.


From: South of Ottawa | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Anchoress
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Babbler # 4650

posted 26 March 2004 09:36 AM      Profile for Anchoress     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Well, the title is incorrect in that they are considering refusing to participate, but that won't necessarily block the study.

I think these women are taking advice from the wrong sources; I mean if they have a 1/25 chance of acquiring HIV, and the drug might even possibly block acquisition, but they are holding out for protection against possible future injury by the drug *after* the end of the trial, I wonder what they are hoping to gain? Or what the person/people advising them in that course hope to gain. Surely they realise that the study will just be moved to another location where the subjects are more cooperative?


From: Vancouver babblers' meetup July 9 @ Cafe Deux Soleil! | Registered: Nov 2003  |  IP: Logged
Pimji
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Babbler # 228

posted 26 March 2004 10:31 PM      Profile for Pimji   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
If there are unfavourable side effects from the drug test I don't think it is unreasonable to ask for some type of insurance. Perhaps One of the side effects may be might result in an inability to earn some type of income.
From: South of Ottawa | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Anchoress
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posted 26 March 2004 10:41 PM      Profile for Anchoress     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
According to the article, the women are being provided with free health care for the duration of the trial. The article says that the advocacy group acting on behalf of the women is asking for insurance against side-effects for 30 years after the conclusion of the drug trial. Not only is this not standard practice in the case of clinical trials, but how is it possible to even know if a health-related problem suffered by a woman 30 years after a clinical trial is related to the trial?

The article also states that the drug is already in use for the treatment of HIV. The drug does have documented mild side-effects.

The purpose of the drug trial is simply to figure out if the drug will help prevent the acquisition of HIV - not to test the safety of the drug.


From: Vancouver babblers' meetup July 9 @ Cafe Deux Soleil! | Registered: Nov 2003  |  IP: Logged

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