BUSINESS WIRE; Tuesday January 27, 8:04 am EST

Scott-Levin's HIV Therapy Audit for the third quarter of 1997 shows:

-- 70% of patients receiving triple therapy

-- 23% receiving dual therapy

-- 5% receiving quadruple therapy

-- 2% receiving only a single therapy

The top three antiretroviral regimens were:

-- Retrovir / Epivir / Crixivan (18%)

-- Retrovir / Epivir (11%)

-- Zerit / Epivir / Crixivan (8%).

In July 1997, the U.S. government released HIV therapy guidelines intended to standardize and improve the quality of care for patients. These guidelines recommend treating HIV early with an aggressive triple-drug regimen consisting of two nucleoside inhibitors and one protease inhibitor. Also on the HIV front:

In the United States, 363,640 HIV patients sought treatment in the third quarter. About 44% of them were in their 30s; 29% were between 40 and 49. More than half of all visits occurred in the physician's office (63%), while 16% took place in hospital clinics and 11% were in the hospital setting. Most HIV patients were white (49%), followed by black (32%) and Hispanic (16%). Asians, American Indians and other racial groups accounted for 1%. Nearly one-third (31%) of the patients seeking treatment were diagnosed with HIV five years ago.

Medicaid paid for the most HIV drug therapy (39%). HMOs were second (21%), followed by fee-for-service payments (14%) and AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (12%).

The top three means of exposure to HIV in the third quarter: male homosexual activity (46%), intravenous drug use (23%) and sex with a heterosexual partner infected with HIV (14%).

According to Scott-Levin's Managed Care Formulary Drug Audit, promotion of HIV therapies to managed care has declined 74% since spring 1996, when many of the newer-generation HIV medications were being launched.

The reason seems to be that many managed care companies leave HIV therapy decisions to individual physicians because HMOs don't yet have guidelines for treating the condition. The most promoted HIV product to managed care in spring 1997 was the Agouron protease inhibitor Viracept, according to Scott-Levin's Managed Care Pharmacy Executive Promotional Audit.

The HIV Therapy Audit projects data from general and family practitioners, internists, and infectious disease specialists who are actively treating HIV patients. While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention covers reported cases of AIDS and a broad estimate of HIV cases, the agency does not provide estimates on the number of HIV patients receiving drug therapy. Scott-Levin's audit provides this data to those interested in the current state of HIV treatment.

For more information, contact John Ross or Greta Unger at 800/982-5613. Scott-Levin, a division of PMSI/Scott-Levin Inc., provides consulting and communications services to pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Visit Scott-Levin on the World Wide Web at http://www.scottlevin.com.

Contact: Scott-Levin John Ross or Greta Unger, 800/982-5613

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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