Rob.Bates@ncar.UCAR.EDU (Rob Bates) (09/19/89)
[Reproduced with permission from Melbourne Star Observer #104, 8 Sept 89]
A system for testing new AIDS treatments through local general practioners has
been launched in New South Wales [the Australian state with the highest AIDS
case load] with the approval and involvement of leading doctors and
organisations representing people with the virus.
Called the Community AIDS Treatment Network (CATN), the aim of the initiative
is to keep HIV-infected but otherwise well people out of the hospital system
and to increase the expertise of general practioners in treating people with
HIV.
The new system is also expected to save on the costs involved in trialling new
treatments.
The NSW AIDS Council (ACON) and the organisation People Living With AIDS have
approved and will participate in the project. The Australian Federation of AIDS
Organisations has also lent its support.
The CATN steering group comprises prominent AIDS doctors Ron Penny, David
Cooper and Basil Donovan and the Executive Director of ACON, Bill Whittaker.
At the launch of CATN, the steering group noted that the new system had the
opportunity to overcome some of the problems commonly found with other AIDS
treatment trial programs.
HIV infected people who had been difficult to reach with other trial programs
could now be reached through their local GP. The involvement of people with
AIDS in the direction of the trials promised to overcome some of the conflicts
that have arisen with other trials and to ensure maximum participation
compliance in new trials.
The steering group said that it hoped to have CATN running trials by the end of
the year.
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