AIDS Daily Summary November 22, 1993 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement by the CDC, the CDC Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC Clearinghouse should be cited as the source of this information. Copyright 1993, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD "AIDS Activists Accuse Druggist of Profiteering" Los Angeles Times--Washington Edition (11/21/93) P. D1 (Olmos, David R.) Priority Pharmacy, known for its business and charity on behalf of people with AIDS, has been accused by those it serves of profiteering from the disease. AIDS activists, with supportive testimony from former Priority employees, contend that the pharmacy's prices for AIDS-related medications are exorbitant--double that of local competitors and significantly higher than most rival mail-order pharmacies. Priority's founder, pharmacist David C. Zeiger, admits that his company's prices are higher. But, explains Zeiger, the prices are justified because they defray the expense of extra services provided by Priority that are not offered by other pharmacies. Those services include handling of all insurance paperwork, overnight mail delivery, nutritional brochures, and a toll-free telephone hot line of AIDS information. Yet some AIDS activists insist that Priority is "price-gouging," and say the company's high prices contribute to the rapid depletion of insurance benefits--a common problem among AIDS patients. These pharmacies "position themselves as caring and responsible and loving, but the smoke behind the screen is ... profit," declares William J. Freeman, executive director of the National Association of People with AIDS, a Washington-based advocacy group. Also under scrutiny is Zeiger's ownership of a company that purchases life insurance policies of AIDS patients. "Nearly 1,000 Vietnamese HIV-Positive--Officials" Reuters (11/22/93) Hanoi--The number of HIV-positive Vietnamese is approaching the 1,000 mark, but the country's AIDS population remains stable, according to officials of the National AIDS Committee. The number of HIV-infected individuals rose from 820 in early October to 955, the officials said. Only 28 people have been diagnosed with AIDS, 13 of whom have died. These figures match those observed in October, when the last AIDS deaths were reported. The officials also denied reports that 63 HIV-infected drug addicts in Ho Chi Minh City had AIDS, and that a dozen of them had died. Vietnam discovered its first case of HIV infection in December 1990, and its first AIDS case just this year. "Mass Test for AIDS Virus Planned at Concert" Reuters (11/19/93) Seattle--Saliva Diagnostic Systems Inc., a company based in Vancouver, Wash., will help gather saliva samples at a Hungarian rock concert next week for what is being called the largest mass AIDS testing ever. The company was asked to distribute its Omni-SAL saliva testing device at a concert in Budapest on Nov. 26 in honor of World AIDS day on Dec. 1. At least one thousand samples will be collected and analyzed after attendees self-administer the saliva test, which screens for the presence of HIV. Saliva Diagnostic Systems Inc. will present the samples to the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion in Budapest, which will analyze the results. The mass testing is an opportunity to demonstrate the usefulness of the Omni-SAL device over standard AIDS blood tests, says Dr. David Barnes, director of European Medical Affairs for the company. "Our device makes the decision to take part in free screening for HIV much easier," he asserts. While HIV is detectable in saliva, comparable tests for AIDS infection have not yet been established. "AIDS Scientist Urges Vatican to Relax Condom Rules" Reuters (11/20/93) Vatican City--Luc Montagnier, a co-discoverer of the AIDS virus, urged the Roman Catholic church to reconsider its strict ban on condom use. Although they are banned as a birth control method by the church, condoms are key in the battle against AIDS, argued the French scientist Saturday at a Vatican convention. Under Pope John Paul II, the Vatican has been inflexible in its stance against artificial contraception, which is condemned because it blocks the transmission of life. "I don't want to give lessons to the Church but I do invite it to be more pragmatic and tolerant," said Montagnier, who is himself a practicing Catholic. He said he knew priests who refused to give communion to couples who had used condoms. "If AIDS is a diabolical disease, no method to beat it can itself be considered diabolical," he reasoned. "Belgium's First AIDS-Blood Case Begins" Reuters (11/19/93) (Pleming, Sue) Brussels--Friday marked the beginning of Belgium's first blood contamination court case, as nine HIV-infected hemophiliacs took the stand in a Brussels courtroom. They told the court that the Belgian Red Cross had not taken adequate steps to prevent HIV contamination of blood, and should have introduced a procedure to neutralize HIV earlier than it actually did. Red Cross director Philippe Laurent insists that everything possible was done to limit contamination. "We implemented a series of measures," he claimed. "The fact Belgium has about the lowest incidence of HIV-contamination in the world indicates we took measures as quickly as possible." Since 1985, however, 37 hemophiliacs in Belgium have been infected with the AIDS virus through blood transfusions. Six have died after developing AIDS. The Belgian hemophiliacs were the last in Europe to be infected. "It is with great conviction that they intend to bring a responsibility action against the Red Cross," said Vincent Houssiau of the Association of Hemophiliacs. The plaintiffs are seeking $275,000 to $550,000 each in damages. "Bryant to Unveil AIDS Awareness Stamp December 1" PR Newswire (11/17/93) Smithfield, R.I.--The U.S. Postal Service will present its new AIDS awareness stamp at noon on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I. Activities will include the sale of "Bryant College Station" AIDS Awareness Day special cancellation envelopes for $2.50 each, with proceeds benefiting RI Project AIDS and to AIDS education programs on campus. Also, the day's classes will be devoted to discussions on the global impact of AIDS. Bryant College President William E. Trueheart said that the event will help educate students, staff, and the community about HIV. "AIDS does not discriminate," he commented, while acknowledging that "young people are especially vulnerable, and we need to help them understand that they are at risk, despite their youth, health, and vitality." Bryant health director Doris Horridge agreed that "the risk of exposure can be minimized." She said, "World AIDS Day will help us focus our attention on risk prevention and counseling." "David S. Huston, 41, Early AIDS Activist" Philadelphia Inquirer (11/22/93) P. D11 (Sabatini, Richard V.) David S. Huston, a pioneering AIDS activist, died Friday at age 41 from complications of the disease. Huston first became involved in the struggle against AIDS in the early 1980s, when it was still a "new" epidemic. At that time, Huston and a dozen or so others developed the buddy system to provide emotional and practical support for AIDS patients. For years, their support services were the only such care available to those who were infected, but not hospitalized. Huston was not only an early leader in the Philadelphia region's oldest AIDS organization, the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force, but he also founded ActionAIDS, Pennsylvania's largest AIDS service organization. At the time of his death, Huston was a member of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Endowment for AIDS. He is survived by his mother, sister, brother, and a longtime companion. "Teed Off" Advocate (11/16/93) No. 642, P. 18 A Bloemfontein, South Africa, appeals court issued a warning to a physician there to watch what he says outside of his office. Matthys J. Kruger admitted to telling other doctors on a golf course in 1991 about a patient of his who had AIDS. Kruger argued that it was his responsibility to tell the other physicians about the AIDS patient in the event that they might be called upon one day to treat him. The court did not agree, and called the action a violation of laws guaranteeing confidentiality of medical records. Kruger was ordered to pay $1,470 in damages to the estate of Barry McGeary, who died in August from AIDS-related complications. "Minister Backs AIDS Education" Washington Blade (11/19/93) Vol. 24, No. 49, P. 6 (van Hertum, Aras) The Rev. George Stallings, archbishop of the Imani Temple in Washington, D.C., has urged other black ministers to overcome their moral concerns and assume a more active role in the battle against AIDS. "If preachers are apprehensive about AIDS issues because they view it as a result of sinful behavior, that is no excuse not to minister to those afflicted," Stallings said at a recent meeting with United Response to Black America's Needs (URBAN). Also at that meeting, Stallings announced plans to develop an AIDS education program to be used by the clergy. According to URBAN, the reverend promised that Imani Temple would "become a center for black theological responses to the AIDS crisis in under-served communities." "View More About It" Destination Discovery (11/93) Vol. 9, No. 8, P. 35 Beginning Nov. 14, the Discovery Channel will air a four-part, world-premiere series tracking the history of the AIDS. The first segment, "The Zero Factor," documents the discovery of AIDS in the early 1980s, when doctors in large cities began to see increasing numbers of homosexual men complaining of fatigue. In "The Hunt for the Virus," HIV worms its way into the blood supply before doctors can identify a reliable test for it. Part III, "Fighting For Life," portrays the activist group ACT-UP, which draws public attention to AIDS with their activities. The final episode of the series, "The End of the Beginning," demonstrates how the virus is now spreading like wildfire not only in the United States, but in developing countries as well. The series will broadcast Nov. 14 through Dec. 12, with each segment airing four times. ------- End of Forwarded Message