Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - February 20, 2002
Anjira Assavanonda
The protesters were mostly Aids sufferers being treated with V-1 immunitor by Ban Bangpakong clinic. Some wore T-shirts bearing messages such as "V-1 Immunitor: A victory for Thais and the global community," while others carried banners reading "Do not block our chance to survive."
The controversy surrounding V-1 resurfaced last week after the Medical Council ruled there was insufficient scientific evidence to prove the product could prevent or cure HIV/Aids.
Vichai Jirathitikal, the inventor of V-1 immunitor, was invited to the ministry to testify before the Medical Council and the Pharmaceutical Council's ethics panel.
Katha Bunditanukul of the Pharmaceutical Council said his organisation had received two complaints regarding V-1 immunitor: one from a group of pharmacists accusing Mr Vichai of producing a sub-standard product, and another from Aids NGOs claiming the manufacturer of V-1 had exaggerated the effectiveness of the product.
"I don't understand how it is wrong to try to save lives," Mr Vichai said in his defence. "I would like to see the Medical Council's evidence that proves V- 1 is not an effective remedy as I have proof that it can cure patients."
He said Ban Bangpakong clinic had been distributing V-1 immunitors to Aids sufferers for about nine months without support. The clinic currently has about 10,000 patients under its care.
"These supporters came with me today to show their conditions have improved because of my product," Mr Vichai said. "They are afraid V-1 will be removed from a list of food supplements registered by the Food and Drug Administration."
Mr Katha argued that Mr Vichai's claims were based on social rather than scientific evidence.
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