Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - January 19, 2001
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
Seri Tuchinda, who heads a group appointed by Public Health Minister Korn Dabbaransi, said procedures would change to meet international standards.
Dr Seri said his group would ask the scientific sub-committee considering human trials to reconsider suspension of the vaccine trial, because the group lacked authority to make a decision.
The group was set up to resolve conflict among researchers and evaluators of the trial, after the scientific sub-committee proposed suspending further trials. The final decision would rest with sub-committee chairman Prof Nath Bhamarapravati.
Dr Seri said the vaccine, known commercially as Remune, was not unsafe even though it showed no benefits.
"There are a lot of details to be reconsidered in the procedures of the trial," he said, without going into detail.
Dr Seri said many researchers felt phase two of the clinical trial should be repeated, while Vina Churdboonchart, former lead researcher, was pushing for a phase four large-scale trial involving about 10,000 HIV-positive volunteers. Ms Vina said the state would not lose because the trial enjoyed complete private funding and people with HIV would get the chance to try out the vaccine.
She said scientists had run phase three in the United States. Those results should be adopted here so scientists could move straight on to phase four.
"Instead of wasting time and resources, we should proceed so that results on the vaccine's effectiveness are known at the earliest," she said.
Asked if she would repeat phase two as recommended by evaluators, she said she would discuss the matter. Ms Vina holds a stake in Trinity Medical Group, which persuaded Remune's US manufacturer, Immune Response, to provide the vaccine.
010119
BP010102
Copyright © 2001 - The Bangkok Post. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Bangkok Post.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .