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From: lamc!info-aids@apple.com (INFO-AIDS MAILER)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: AZT & DDI
Message-ID: <26569@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 18 Aug 89 15:27:33 GMT
Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU
Reply-To: lamc!info-aids@apple.com (Info-AIDS Mailer)
Organization: Letterman Army Medical Center - San Francisco, CA
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Approved: aids@cs.ucla.edu
Archive-number: 1144

This week the FDA & the National AIDS committee announced
the effectivness of low dosage AZT in controling the
progression of HIV in patients.  In the patient and medical
sector, this line of thinking already had seemed to have a
sound basis since many doctors were already prescribing low
dose AZT to their non-AIDS patients.

This announcement comes on the heels of an announcement made
by Bristol-Myers that they will make DDI available to PWAs
at no cost.  (Associated Press - 7/14/89).  DDI appears to
be as effective as AZT, but not as toxic. B-M hopes to start
distributing the drug in September... barring any
complications from the FDA.

This senerio stikes me as a little strange.  Two major drug
companys in a silent battle.  Both offering hope, if not
somewhat backhanded.  And where does the FDA fit into all
this?  Is someone being paid off?  Does Burroughs Wellcome
feel threatened by DDI?  I feel that some investigation is
warrented here.
Scotty

AIDS INFORMATION EXCHANGE BBS      (214) 247-2367/247-5609
               "Education is the best weapon"
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