Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - June 14, 2001
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
The Ministry of Public Health yesterday reversed its stance on legal action, a day after Deputy Health Minister Suraphong Suebwonglee averred there would be "no political interference" in the affair.
Mr Suraphong changed his tune after meeting Deputy Prime Minister Pithak Intaravitayanand and Food and Drug Administration head Vichai Chokeviwat.
Dr Suraphong said no legal action would be taken even if the licence for distributing the product has not been issued.
"They (the foundation) need only approach the FDA to show their intention in registering the product and they can continue to distribute it without waiting for a licence. They will be allowed to do so on a welfarist basis," he said.
The foundation had insisted it would continue to hand out the substance to people with HIV/Aids. Dr Suraphong said they would be urged to avoid making people travel long distances.
Dr Vichai, the FDA's head, said licensing the product would take at least two weeks.
Documents would have to be studied, the product examined and the manufacturing plant inspected.
Meanwhile, Montri Sethabutr, the foundation's deputy chairman, said registering the substance was the responsibility of the pharmacist who invented it, Vichai Jirathitikal.
The foundation would continue to distribute V-1 Immunitor by mail and at mobile units so that people would not have to travel far to get it. Rather than compiling information from the thousands of people who had been taking the product, the foundation would regularly check on the "physical and mental" improvement of some 100 HIV-positive people listed under their programme.
Dr Montri said initial observation would be done only by looking at patients' weight and physical appearance.
When asked whether the foundation would take note of patients' white blood cell count, which trackslevels of immunity, Dr Montri said observation of that would take at least five years.
He was confident that the product would prove itself within a month, adding that the government committee looking at V-1 Immunitor should confirm the claims.
010614
BP010607
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. .