Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - Friday December 12, 2003
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
Most people who meet the criteria would get GPOVIR, a cocktail drug which combines three anti-retroviral drugs - D4T, 3TC and Nevirapine.
It is made locally by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation and costs about 1,200 baht a patient a month.
This drug could help protect patients from opportunistic infections for five to seven years, he said.
Charal Trinvuthiphong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, however, said about 2% of the people under the scheme were likely to suffer from severe side effects and would not be able to take the first set of drugs from the beginning.
They would get the second regimen which comprises the drugs D4T, 3TC and Efevirenz.
It costs about 4,000 baht a patient a month and 15% of the patients would get it.
The third regimen, D4T, 3TC, Indinavir and Ritronavir, would cost about 7,000 baht a patient a month. About 5% of patients would get it.
The ministry has set up a telephone hotline centre to provide details. The hotline can be reached on 02-5903323-5 and 02-5903336 during office hours.
Dr Charal said people who do not meet the criteria would not get drugs under the scheme.
The locally-made cocktail GPOVIR, the cheapest available combined drug, was not for sale on the local market.
Dr Charal urged people with HIV/Aids to measure their immunity, a first step to enrolling in the scheme.
Hospitals have 19 machines to measure CD4 cell counts. By next year, another 20 will be in place.
031212
BP031208
Copyright © 2003 - 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Always watch for outdated information.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 2003. 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, 2003. 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. .