Media release November 1, 2006
HIV treatment takes two steps forward
A once-a-day medicine to attack the HIV/AIDS virus is part of a package of treatments for people with HIV announced by
Pharmac today.
Atazanavir (Reyataz) is a once a day HIV protease inhibitor which has the advantage of having fewer metabolic side
effects than other protease inhibitor drugs. These side effects can can cause complications like heart disease.
The other part of the package is the listing of pravastatin (Pravachol), a cholesterol-lowering drug that can be used to
correct metabolic side effects in people with HIV who are being treated with protease inhibitors. Two statins are
already funded, atorvastain and simvastatin. However, pravastatin is the only one that can be used in combination with
HIV protease inhibitors.
Both treatments will be funded from today (1 November 2006).
PHARMAC Medical Director Dr Peter Moodie says the two drugs provide the opportunity to advance treatment for HIV
patients.
“By and large people can manage their HIV well with the drug treatments that are available,” Dr Moodie says. “It is not
uncommon, though, for people who are taking protease inhibitors to have metabolic complications such as increased
triglyceride and cholesterol levels. These can lead to an increased risk of heart disease so these funding decisions
provide welcome new treatment options,” Dr Moodie says.
“Having a once-a-day protease inhibitor will mean that people who might find it difficult to take all their medicines in
one day will have a better treatment option.”
Dr Moodie says the decision to subsidise atazanavir will benefit an estimated 40-50 people with HIV each year. About 30
people would benefit from pravastatin.
Atazanavir will join five other fully subsidised HIV protease inhibitors. Another treatment for HIV/AIDS, enfuvirtide,
has also been funded recently.
ENDS