Local conditions may drive viral evolution in opposite directions

HIV has become more virulent over time, not less, European study finds. Local conditions may drive viral evolution in opposite directions. Gus Cairns: "In other words, both studies could be right: HIV could currently be weakening in one part of the world, while becoming stronger in another."

Research suggests ability of HIV to cause AIDS is slowing

It is widely believed that epidemics in new hosts diminish in virulence over time, with natural selection favoring pathogens that cause minimal disease.

Anniversary of the radical advocacy

October 12 marks the 10th anniversary of the direct action taken by the Russian activist group, "FrontAIDS". At that time, less than 1200 HIV-positive people in Russia were receiving ARV-s. Within a year of their series of actions (and also actions by other civil society leaders) the Russian government finally started to purchase ARV drugs. Its an important part of our region’s history.

FDA approves "Harvoni". Gilead said it’s price will be $94,500 for a 12-week course of treatment

Hepatitis С is contagious disease with known and extensive medical risks, but given Gilead’s choice to price these treatments so irresponsibly high, it makes it impossible to treat everyone who could benefit.

The number of people living with HIV and hepatitis is on the rise in Europe

There is an urgent need to change our strategy for testing for HIV and hepatitis in Europe. The number of people infected is increasing and many are still not aware that they are infected. The problem is greatest in Southern and Eastern Europe, but it is also an increasing problem in other European countries, and new testing strategies are therefore required. Late diagnosis means a higher mortality rate, greater risk of onward transmission and increased financial costs.

European HIV testing week 2014 and AHF grant

From 21 to 28 November, the 2-nd European HIV Testing week is planned to take place. AHF Europe invites creative proposals that promote Community Based rapid HIV testing during European Testing Week.

After the End of AIDS

Everyone loves a happy ending. After 33 years of a terrible epidemic, looking forward into the distance and glimpsing the end of the disease, an AIDS-free future is like seeing water on the horizon after a long, hard walk through the sands of a desert. We want it so desperately, so acutely, we can taste it.

Australia against Sovaldi price

Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee rejected the submission for Highly Specialised Drugs Program listing for sofosbuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C on the basis of unacceptably high and likely underestimated cost-effectiveness and the high and likely underestimated budgetary impact on the Public health.

Access To Medicine Week (A2M-week)

The idea is to have a week full of events across Europe to raise awareness on access to medicine and the lack thereof. The week is set for Sunday November 1-st to Friday November 7-th 2014.

EuroHRN training in Vilnius

The European Harm Reduction Network (EuroHRN) is organizing a series of trainings on harm reduction for local drug policies. One of the trainings will be organized on 27-29 October 2014 in Vilnius, Lithuania in partnership with AFR and Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN).

European CDC cautious about PrEP

The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has issued a paper saying that it cannot make a clear Europe-wide recommendation on the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and that it would require clearer data on efficacy, cost-effectiveness, side-effects, resistance and its impact on condom use before making one.

The sixth meeting of the EECA CAB

The sixth meeting of the Community Advisory Board in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA СAB) was held in St.-Petersburg, Russia. Activists from EECA countries and representatives of pharmaceutical companies MSD, Janssen, BMS and Pharmasyntez and Medicines Patent Pool discussed access to HIV and Hepatitis C treatment issues for (price, patent status, registration status in the countries) and new developments in the field HIV and hepatitis C treatment.

Increasing capacities. Achieving novelty

On 10-11 October 2014, the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) is organizing a conference “Increasing capacities, Achieving Novelty (iCAN): Pan-European Conference on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Response to HIV/AIDS.”

Fourth Cross Border Healthcare Conference

Who can attend? Patient organisations’ representatives from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden. When? 6-8 October 2014. Where? Tallinn, Estonia. European Patients Forum will cover all expenses related to your participation at the conference. This includes accommodation for up to two nights, catering and economy travel.

Upcoming EU HIV/AIDS Civil Society Meeting in Luxemburg

On 8 and 9 July 2014, the HIV/AIDS Civil Society Forum (CSF) will have its 19th meeting in Luxemburg. The CSF, an informal advisory body established in 2005 by the European Commission to facilitate the participation of NGOs and networks, has recently been renewed. A representative of the Society AGIHAS also elected to the CSF.

Need for action: End the silence on Hepatitis C

Welcome to the first European Conference on Hepatitis C and Drug Use, Berlin, October 23 - 24, 2014. The 1st European conference will bring together key actors on HCV, including drug user community representatives, harm reduction experts, health care professionals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and policy makers to develop pathways for effective health responses and to open treatment for those who need it.

On success and failure

HIV viral load had rebounded to detectable levels in both “Boston patients” who had previously undergone stem cell transplantation and later discontinued HIV treatment. A low CD4/CD8 ratio (<1) in elderly HIV-negative adults is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A subset of HIV-positive adults receiving ART fails to normalize this ratio, even after a normal peripheral CD4 count is obtained.

In connection to the situation around the 4th Conference on HIV/AIDS in Moscow

All-Russian Union of People Living with HIV, Non-Governmental Organization: We, people living with HIV in Russia, are addressing all people living with HIV as well as their advocates in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and worldwide.

Statement regarding participation in EECAAC 2014

In light of the political landscape in the region in recent months, different positions have been voiced from civil society organizations about holding the 4th conference on HIV and AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECAAC 2014) in Russia. The International Treatment Preparedness Coalition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia wants to clarify why we will still be participating in the conference.