MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Slimconomy' source. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:37:14 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655545&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fdo-we-care-enough-about-hivaids.html Next Week Canadian swimmer Kristin Roe will swim a total of 30Km across the Northumberland Strait, over and back between PEI and New Brunswick. She is also researching how women manage AIDS in developing nations. Funds raised will go the Stephen Lewis Foundation. All excellent work.There are a number of small initiatives that take place like this around the world. Small events, larger events and then the big conferences like the International AIDS Conference in Mexico this year (it was in Toronto in 2006 and the Harper government in Canada didn't even attend.)No doubt that all together, they help in raising awareness, funds and program delivery. But do we care enough about HIV/AIDS in the mainstream of day to day? Beyond those on the front lines; the doctors, nurses, care workers and suffe... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655545 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:22:00 +0100 1655545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1640321&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Forasure-spins-us-dizzy-again.html On June 16th, OraSure issued a press release regarding a very high degree of excellent data for their OraQuick ADVANCE HIv 1/2 test. Buried at the bottom of the press release was "some minor issues where 2/10th's of of a percent the tests were reporting false positives" - or specificity in scientific terms" (yes, we're using those fractions here, that's PR spin folks.) That really translates to 1.1% of all the tests conducted according to the NYC Health Department, who on June 22nd issued a statement saying they were "changing their procedures" although they didn't say how or what to. In real terms that's just over 200 people who suffered some serious stress for a few days.Nationally, NYC and San Francisco are two very disciplined and savvy clinics. In 2005, similar results were reported i... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1640321 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:55:00 +0100 1640321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1508573&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Flong-time-to-post.html I've received over 80 emails inquiring about when the next post will come along since it's been a while. My apologies to the over 600 regular visitors and 2,900 (+/- 20 or so) weekly visits I average. I'm at the peak of launching two new Web-based products, and all that goes with such a venture; financing, technical issues, marketing strategy, people etc.All this leaves little time to write about a topic I am very passionate about. Once you work in the field of HIV you can quickly become drawn in as you watch a virus ravaging the world and laughing at the slapshod band-aids that get stuck on a gaping, mortal wound on modern society. Thousands of doctors, nurses and aid workers (and a few honest companies too) struggle to fight the epidemic that is HIV/AIDS daily, yet are mired down in the ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1508573 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:22:00 +0100 1508573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1439678&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fwhy-is-rapid-hiv-testing-failing-in.html It's been several years now since rapid HIV tests entered the market with FDA approval; first OraSure, then MedMira, then Trinity and BioRad and now Inverness. Yet we still haven't seen the growth in use (and subsequent sales for the manufacturers) as we should by now. Certainly the CDC has tried to educate the health care market and create rapid testing programs and opportunities. Canada's Public Health Service has been less than pathetic in promoting rapid testing, leaving it to companies like BioLytical to push for testing via NPO's. Non-Profits in Canada and the U.S. are advocating the use of rapid testing, clinics across the U.S. and Canada are implementing rapid testing programs, sometimes with little government support. Yet sales of rapid HIV tests indicate an overall lackluster upt... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1439678 Tue, 13 May 2008 14:37:00 +0100 1439678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1434553&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fsplit-personalities-of-hiv.html In Africa, get HIV and you're pretty much dead inside of 7 years. In North America and Western Europe, get HIV and you could go 20+ years until full-blown AIDS hits you. Is part of the battle for HIV/AIDS impaired due to mixed messages in the media, and resulting public and government sentiment? American, Canadian and some European governments would have us believe HIV/AIDS is simply a chronic condition. Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Obama all seem to think so. Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, didn't even bother to show up at the last World AIDS Conference, signifying Canada just doesn't feel HIV/AIDS is a pressing political issue.Yet at the grass roots level, the battle is raging furiously. In America, Canada and Europe, a surface search of Web related articles on community-base... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1434553 Sun, 11 May 2008 14:59:00 +0100 1434553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1389094&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fcalypte-bucks-china-trend-smart.html I don't follow Calypte Biomedical very much, thanks to a comment by a reader, I took a look at the recent announcement. Their financials are a mess and they've raised $168 Million in capital since inception and have over 800 million shares of common stock authorized for issuance. They recently entered into an agreement with Chicago investment firm Fusion Capital LLC. A review of the blogosphere shows quite a few negative experiences with this investment firm, and some positives as well. Calypte has entered into a draw-down scenario of up to $8 Million in capital at pre-set prices. Perhaps the only upside there is that Fusion does not play the usual hedging or shorting game these types of funds typically play.Calypte just can't seem to make any sales stick. They survive, develop and roll ou... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1389094 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:39:00 +0100 1389094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1386875&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fchina-syndrome-hiv-in-china.html A nation of over a billion people. Growing almost beyond belief. A market seen as an opiate for the determined entrepreneur, an opiate hailing the old days of new less-sophisticated markets. But China is sophisticated, and far older than Western culture. It is a complex, multi-layered and multi-cultured country steeped in tradition. I've always thought how impressive it was that the people who developed gun powder use it first for fireworks. Westerners showed up and decided to use it for war.HIV is rampant throughout China. Actual numbers however, are difficult to truly know. In 2003 the government officially said "750,000" then in 2006, it was down to 650,000 with 75,000 living with full-blown AIDS. Here is a comment from a Chinese government official; “Exact figures are difficult to ar... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1386875 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:38:00 +0100 1386875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1344357&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Feffective-aids-awareness-advertising.html As a marketer, advertising is a vital element of getting a message out. I enjoy print advertising the most, whether it be magazines or newspapers. I think it's the medium and the relationship one has with print material is different from television, mobile devices or the Web. In 2001 I co-created and founded the Ice Awards, an advertising awards show that propelled the regional market onto a global stage.I came across some ads for AIDS prevention. I've seen many others and developed some as well. The two below struck me as excellent representations of communicating an effective message. They scare you because they are creatures we are frightened of.It lead me to wonder how effective this type of advertising and marketing is in the battle for HIV/AIDS. It is an area I am covering in my book... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1344357 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:14:00 +0100 1344357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1311135&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fnew-move-in-rapid-hiv-test-market.html An interesting event in the world of rapid tests happened last week. MedMira says it has filed a patent claim for a new update on it's rapid testing flow-through platform. The press release claims a 2-step process. One might also assume the time remains either the same (90-seconds start to finish) or is slightly less. Given what they claim as the test being "easier to use", this would suggest the new platform could be a contender with BioLytical's INSTI and make a CLIA waiver and potential OTC use a very plausible play.MedMira's test, like the other market mainstays (OraSure, bioLytical, Inverness and Trinity) all produce a good quality of test with consistent results. So we can certainly assume MedMira's new test will meet their past quality standards. A challenge for all rapid HIV test m... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1311135 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:01:00 +0100 1311135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1296110&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fbroader-implications-of-otc-rapid-hiv.html Whatever stage the FDA is regarding OTC approval of rapid HIV tests, the general market doesn't really know and none of the contenders seem to be saying anything, except perhaps to potential investors. It's been a while since anything has happened, no more current public hearings. The only move any company seems to have made is OraSure with hiring a VP for consumer marketing, but then OraSure sells wart removal products as well. Very successfully.From those I have been able to speak to, the consideration is still on the table. Some of us would like to see a "yes" or "no" sooner than later. The blood products committee recommended the FDA proceed nearly 2 years ago now, with certain guidelines. The FDA is already overworked, underfunded and understaffed, so the delay is not without reason.Y... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1296110 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:18:00 +0100 1296110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1283524&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fonions-herbs-or-maybe-just-beer.html In our not too distant past, in the days of the Wild West, shifty fellas scuttled about the country selling amazing cures for anything that ailed you. These "cure-all tonics" were often no more than flavoured water. A favorite was "snake oil", and so the first generation of the Use-Car-Salesman was born. Now there's a large underground market in the sales of "herbal cures" for HIV/AIDS. The claims run the gamut from totally eliminating AIDS and "restoring you to health of youth" as some websites claim, to getting rid of any associated ill effects or just helping you cope.In my travels from Africa, parts of Asia and India recently, I have picked up a few different products with wild claims. I'm not sure what's in all of these little boxes, but if I had HIV I'd apparently be cured several ti... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1283524 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:27:00 +0100 1283524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1259980&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fbundles-for-battling-hivaids.html Many products that are successful today in profit terms, are those that have an entire "ecosystem" around them. One prime example is the iPod. The iPod was cleverly designed to work with peripherals, such as speakers, headsets, clock/radio units. Then there are the multitude of carrying cases and car adapters. So how does that relate to HIV/AIDS?Perhaps governments and agencies combating HIV/AIDS could take a page from the corporate world of marketing. Certainly in terms of OTC products, and translated out into developing nations. In corporate terms of the battle, pharmaceutical companies are more interested in developing anti-retroviral drugs (ARV's) since they promise a higher rate of return on investment over time than say a microbicide. Rapid HIV tests are often sold in a silo from bat... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1259980 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:53:00 +0100 1259980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1243488&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fbush-blind-to-realities-of-aids.html Once again we see how politics and religion just don't mix in the battle for HIV. More broadly, the lack of any united approach to the battle proves HIV is still winning. Bush's PEPFAR program for AIDS assistance is in front of Congress now for approval of another $30 Billion in spending for programs. Congress has come back saying "less effort on abstinance please and a little more on education, testing and treatment." But Bush, being a firm supporter of the Evangelical right wants to keep abstinence a key element of the programs, with less emphasis on condoms. Bush seems to have some strange idea that condoms aren't necessary.Certainly the fact that the U.S. stopped PEPFAR funding in Uganda until the government there all but stopped distributing condoms and AIDS cases went back up through... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1243488 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:24:00 +0100 1243488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1222388&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fmedmiras-russian-gold.html Russia. Wretchedly cold in winter, hot and humid in summer. A place of amazing history, good food and warm-hearted people...for the most part. I liken Russia to a wild frontier, although it seems to be changing somewhat again, perhaps entering post-teen angst phase. My trips to Moscow over the past 10 years have seen a lot of change. The times in nightclubs, well, those are best left to another type of story.HIV infection in Russia is high, particularly so in the Moscow Region (MR) as it's known. Russia is twice the size of the USA, but less than half the population. Official stats put about 1.6 Million Russians living with HIV. A study by Russian scientists Kravtchenko, Kanestri, Shipulina, Tishkevich, and Simonova showed that in the MR, it is suspected that some 90% of those infected wit... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1222388 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:26:00 +0100 1222388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1216539&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fhiv-testing-in-military.html I've had three emails recently from different folks asking me about HIV in the military. During my travels I had some experiences with various national forces regarding HIV and testing. What I found, thinking back and going through my notes from a couple of years ago, is a mixed bag of approach.I spoke to a senior French army medical officer and he told me that in the French Foreign Legion, HIV testing is routine, given that they have a lot of African activities and actions in other high-risk countries. If a Legionnaire is HIV positive, well, they're gone, on medical separation. In many African nations, testing is spotty at best and policy is usually to eject an infected soldier, and they're lucky if they get treatment.The U.S. Military and Canadian military have relatively effective progr... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1216539 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:24:00 +0100 1216539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1192877&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Flooking-for-united-approach-not-this.html The US election is heating up and even here in Canada we're looking forward to SuperTuesday. I give a talk to a university PoliSci class on HIV in Africa and the business side that day as well and I'm wondering what the open discussion will be like! Should be interesting at least.What I've seen of the candidates and the clips on the debates has left me even more disturbed that the US government really has no idea how to confront this battle and that misconceptions are rife. I was very disappointed to hear Hillary Clinton say that HIV/AIDS in America is "...now a chronic disease..." but that it was a death sentence in Africa. Right. How, given Bill's work on AIDS in Africa, could she dream up that line?Huckabee remains evasive. Romney wanted to segregate anyone with HIV/AIDS in '92 and now ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1192877 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:58:00 +0100 1192877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1179272&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fbusiness-and-business-of-aids.html Despite the recent revised estimates of UNAIDS and the US CDC lowering the instances of HIV/AIDS in Africa and the US, the epidemic continues to spread, largely unchecked, HIV/AIDS is the 4th cause of death worldwide and may soon become the 3rd.The Denialists run rampant with claims of frizzy haired mad scientists giggling as they ran amok with aerosol bottles in what would have to have been the early 1970's (when the technical ability didn't even exist) spraying AIDS into the African skies. Yet HIV continues to kill by the hour and hundreds become newly infected daily.Yet as Denialists and others scowl over some of the practices of the drug and medical companies (and sometimes quite rightly so) it is businesses that have arguably had the greatest impact in any form of coordinated battle a... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179272 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:03:00 +0100 1179272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173290&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fmultiplo-rapid-hivhcv-test-that-is.html Hepatitis C or HCV. A liver disease, and a rather stealthy one at that. It can take up residence like an illegal alien in your liver and quietly munch away on your liver for up to 10 years before you even realize it's there. Kind of like HIV. Like HIV, HCV shares the same transmission routes, even in perinatal transmission. There is increasing research that shows more and more incidences of co-infection of HIV and HCV. In a small study last year at Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx last year, they found that 13 of the 288 children studied were co-infected with HIV and HCV or HBV. That's just one small study in New York. Now there could soon be a rapid HIV/HCV test to help detect coinfection - which would doubtless save many a baby's life.Those with HIV are also ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173290 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:14:00 +0100 1173290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155942&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fsurveillance-counselling-and-otc-rapid.html Perhaps one the biggest issues and toughest questions around rapid HIV tests going OTC is , as a reader posed, the issue of surveillance and reporting. The obvious concern is reporting for "positives" from the tests, but equally important is negative and invalid results. Surveillance helps in understanding the epidemiology of a disease, and so recording of negative and invalid results provides the whole view that is necessary to fight the disease in question.Surveillance as a whole is a challenge for government. In the US the current system is two tiered; physician to State and then State to CDC. The latter is more manageable and systematic using NETSS (National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance - sounds very 90's) which is a weekly way of States reporting on what are c... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155942 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:17:00 +0100 1155942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1139860&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Frapid-hiv-test-players-2008-inverness.html My last item of coverage of the major players is Inverness. Most of the business media coverage for rapid HIV tests surrounds OraSure, occasionally MedMira and in Canada a fair bit to bioLytical. In terms of consumer media coverage, OraSure has penetrated this sector with it's oral test due to having hired a good PR firm and knowing how to spin the message with a dose of early high-level political support (namely Bush and Tommy Thompson being in their press releases and Bush making a comment at the White House.) We rarely hear anything of Inverness Medical. Their purchase of an FDA approval by buying another US-based company barely got a nod from the analysts. The media didn't care, even in medical industry coverage.Given the retail stock traders playing havoc with OraSure and MedMira stoc... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1139860 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:30:00 +0100 1139860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1133937&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Frapid-hiv-test-players-2008-2-canadians.html I'm sure most of my US readers are awaiting the New Hampshire votes tomorrow; I've joined the Canadians for Barack Obama group on Facebook! If only we could vote here. Back to Canada and the business at hand, the business of HIV/AIDS and the next installment of my predictions for the players in the rapid HIV test manufacturer market. This entry looks at the two Canadian players on the market; MedMira and bioLytical.I was quite critical of bioLytical several months ago, but having watched their strategy unfold, recent activities and tried their test (albeit very unscientifically. Perhaps Okham wouldn't mind so much), I've come to see that this company has a good product and is set to be a significant player. Although they don't have any FDA approvals yet, it's just a matter of time.MedMira:... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1133937 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:07:00 +0100 1133937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1131723&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Frapid-hiv-test-players-2008-trinity.html In my second entry on my look at the key rapid HIV test players in the market for 2008, I'm targeting Trinity Biotech; next is bioLytical and MedMira.Trinity is generally quiet and usually take a back-seat to the others in terms of PR pushes and making noise in the market. They’ve seen steady sales in the past, but the Uni-Gold Recombigen test is one of many products for this Irish company. They’ve been rather distracted of late with a group restructuring and senior management changes. They’ve slashed their headcount and “culled” as they quaintly put it, their OTC plans in the US, along with other products. Which makes sense, since Uni-Gold really isn't much suited for an OTC application, a fact I think they recognize, in addition to the marketing costs. Also, Trinity really has ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1131723 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:01:00 +0100 1131723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1128787&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Frapid-hiv-test-players-2008-orasure.html A new year looms ahead and the battle for HIV/AIDS goes on. Numbers of those infected have been re-stated by UNAIDS and the U.S. CDC, more countries will follow. In the EU, government watchdogs claim that HIV/AIDS is no longer on peoples minds in a significant way. Product (RED) launches a new product every now and then but still, hundreds of people die every hour. We saw little movement with the OTC issue for rapid HIV tests in the US, but signs are indicative of something happening, and I suspect 2008 may either see a significant step towards OTC approval or actual approval, though I think more hearings may be looming.So given my interest in the rapid HIV test market, as well as the HIV/AIDS battle as a whole, what's ahead for the key rapid HIV test manufacturers in 2008? Who will see si... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1128787 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:55:00 +0100 1128787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123370&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fhivaids-implementers-or-intentioners.html So here they go again. Another session set for June 2008, this time in Uganda. The HIV/AIDS Implementers are set to discuss yet again how forces can be joined to manage the fight better. The focus is mainly on developing nations, and African nations more so (sensible in large part.) I've seen their past notes and presented abstracts and discussions before. I believe their objectives are very well intentioned, and that it helps bring together some superb collective learning and knowledge that would serve the battle well.Unfortunately, this organization has no teeth; the sponsors are ineffective in policy enforcement. I also find some odd irony that it is being held in Uganda and with primary sponsorship from PEPFAR. I wonder if they will discuss the miserable failure of the PEPFAR funding p... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123370 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:07:00 +0100 1123370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1091384&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fhiv-testing-in-canada-when-policy-fails.html In South Africa, a sophisticated and largely well educated country, the President, Mbeke, denies that there is a link between HIV and AIDS. As a result of this belief, the Minister of Health propogates this myth and so political will to implement awareness, testing, education and treatment programs are often fragmented and stuttering. But the mining companies were being hit harder by AIDS at the turn of the century, and so they are today. So mining and other companies, realizing their workforce was jeapordized, had to step in. They established SABCOHA (South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS) around 2001. In New York in the same year, Business Fights AIDS was started, with a similar mission, only they would go global.In Canada and America, there is no such organization. Perhaps in lar... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1091384 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:47:00 +0100 1091384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1088760&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Faids-denialists-part-3-invincible.html I've always found that AEGIS is one the best resources for HIV/AIDS, arguably in the world. It is a volunteer driven organization that provides constant updates and forums for discussion of issues relating to HIV/AIDS. I recently read an excellent article from Iowa University regarding the AIDS Denialists. I particularly enjoyed a comment in there that summed up the AIDS Denialists: Deadly Quackery.As pointed out in the article and from some research I've done based on that article, AIDS Denialists enjoy the game of Goal-Post Moving. If you look at one of their preferred tactics tactics, they (being the various groups out there) call for further scientific evidence of the causality link between HIV and AIDS, when it is later provided, they "move the goal-post" demanding further evidence. I... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1088760 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:53:00 +0100 1088760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1072432&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Frapid-hiv-testing-in-canada-hurry-up.html In Canada, we often say "we have the best health care system around. Until you need it." while that's not entirely fair, Canada, like many countries, and any country with Social Medicine, is facing serious funding challenges for care. An aging population doesn't help matters, due to increased care needs. But what about HIV testing in Canada?Essentially, in Canada, all you have to do is walk into your doctors office or a clinic and request a test for just about anything you want. In some cases blood is taken on the spot, in other cases you go to the nearest hospital to a Blood Clinic. A week later you call your doctor for results. Simple? yes. But is it working in the case of HIV/AIDS and related STD's? Rapid HIV testing programs remain staggered and about ten years behind the US.In large p... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1072432 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:27:00 +0100 1072432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070287&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fhiv-whats-right-number.html Here we go revising the US numbers now. A third body making revisions might just make this a trend. Although UNAIDS dropped the number of AIDS cases in Africa, the U.S. CDC seems to be prepping for higher numbers in the United States. The US CDC has stated around 40,000 new cases per year. The advocacy groups are saying 55,000 per year.But where does the interest lie in the numbers. The US CDC is pushing aggressively for the FDA to make an approval for rapid HIV tests to be made available at a local Walgreens or Rite-Aid. The test manufacturers know that if higher numbers of cases are reported in the US, they're more likely to get FDA approval for an OTC product. This is good for profits and good for shareholders. The drug companies will sell more ARV's. Non-Profit groups will get increase... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070287 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:25:00 +0100 1070287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1060072&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Frapid-hiv-tests-2-canadian-contenders.html ConclusionMedMira has an advantage with the multiple-assay test for broader product scope, Multiplo, but bioLytical has a good product that works well, is easy and faster, and I think they’ll take good market share in the US and their recent Africa activity (which I’ve learned is increasing and they’re getting good relations going in Africa my sources tell me) bioLytical will surprise the market and come out strong. MedMira will need some serious cash injection soon and a ramp up of their sales and marketing efforts. bioLytical has shown an ability to monetize on it’s approvals, something MedMira still needs to do. (Source: Slimconomy) Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1060072 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:02:00 +0100 1060072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1051306&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fhivaids-where-are-nurses-and-doctors.html Regardless of what the numbers of HIV/AIDS victims really are, without doubt Africa has been hit the hardest. In my last post (and thanks for the many interesting emails) I put forward my thoughts on first gaining a perspective in terms of "proportionalism" in which to base a higher view for establishing policy to develop a more unified approach to combating HIV/AIDS.When it comes to Africa though, added to the need for a more consistent and unified approach is the challenge of health care infrastructure in the first place. There just isn't enough trained healthcare workers. Even if good foreign policy is implemented, programs for educating women and a less religious driven approach to aid is implemented, even a massive testing program - who is going to deliver it?In a recent McKinsey stud... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1051306 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:52:00 +0100 1051306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1049050&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fhivaids-societal-virus.html AIDS has always been a controversial issue in society. HIV/AIDS has defined a generation, and it has created polarization politically, socially and ever more so, economically. The recent re-evaluation of globals AIDS cases by UNAIDS is yet another example of how fragmented the approach to HIV/AIDS has been and continues to be. HIV/AIDS has evolved to a point where we now have denialists who deny a link between HIV/AIDS and growing speculation by the public that AIDS is a conspiracy (no matter how preposterous this is) of Abbott and other nefarious drug companies and the US government. HIV/AIDS has a complete mythology in African cultures as well, that it can be "cured" by having sex with a teenage virgin, or that girls under 14 can't carry HIV. Some religious groups say AIDS is a disease t... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049050 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:54:00 +0100 1049050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1044074&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Funaids-fear-testing-in-africa.html Let's face it, AIDS is a horrible syndrome, brought on by an exceedingly clever and nasty little retrovirus called HIV that does some strange things to your immune system. All along, HIV/AIDS has been a disease wrapped in a package of fear. Throughout the 26 years HIV/AIDS has been stalking our society, fear has been a powerful tool that is as much a part of AIDS as the syndrome itself, perhaps "fear" is a psychological element of HIV/AIDS, and it has done tremendous good and horrible damage.The message of fear inherent to the "brand" of HIV/AIDS has been leveraged for good and for bad. It has helped agencies like the U.S. CDC, USAID, BusinessFightsAIDS, Stephen Lewis Foundation and others to access the funds needed to deliver programs in developing nations. In the grey area of corporate e... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1044074 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:32:00 +0100 1044074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024346&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Frapid-hiv-tests-turtle-wins.html The market worldwide for rapid HIV tests truly sparked in November of 2002 with the FDA's first approval of OraSure's OraQuick test. The main spin was that it was an "oral fluid" test, rather than whole blood or serum/plasma like the other tests. Shortly thereafter, MedMira's Reveal was approved for use with serum/plasma. There had been a test approved in Canada in the late 90's (that company is no longer around, but some of the people of ChemBio in New York were part of it), but it was quickly withdrawn due to a high number of false-positives. In the US there are several FDA approved rapid HIV tests, in Canada only 2 (MedMira for serum/plasma and BioLytical for whole blood.)The two Canadian tests are the fastest in the world, both coming in around 3 minutes total time (including preparati... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024346 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:21:00 +0100 1024346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1018938&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fw-elcome-to-november-10-2007-edition-of.html This study shows the power of negativity and how it can affect our own views and opinions. All the more reason to surround yourself with positive people that share your goals and aspirations." Robinson Go presents Start Everyday With A Smile posted at The Robinson Go Blog, saying, "Make the most out of your health and fitness with this very short, effective and awesome tip!" Davex presents Natural Acne Treatment posted at Mr. Clear's Acne Blog, saying, "Thank you for hosting the carnival, and if your interested in working on a project together feel free to let me now. Cheers, David" pnreddy presents Study Examines How HIV Progresses To AIDS posted at Health Watch Center. An excellent article showing the science of the progress, supporting the improved ARV drugs out there. Not that th... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1018938 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:45:00 +0100 1018938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1005252&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fhome-hiv-tests-online-black-market.html The Scam Artists and the OTC ThreatA black market for home rapid HIV tests? Absolutely. Yet, comparing my research of just 8 months ago to today, it is much harder to find a rapid HIV test to have delivered to your door. In a search in March of 2007 I found 28 companies in less than an hour that would ship a rapid HIV test to your home directly. I was most curious about the ability to order the OraQuick Advance test, so I did, at US$59 with express post (no courier option was available.) It did indeed arrive, via US Mail...from a KOA Campground in Vermont. This was interesting since having done this 18 months prior, the test also arrived from a KOA campground, only a different one. I doubt OraSure had any idea this was happening. Likely someone had managed to get a hold of some and were se... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1005252 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:50:00 +0100 1005252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=995026&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Faids-dissidents-part-2-who-why.html Last week I briefly touched on the surface of the AIDS Dissident movement. Several comments were posted and I received 64 emails directly, mostly from anonymous re-directs. Needless to say, the anonymous ones weren't very nice. Some were encouraging, though the majority felt I was in the "pay" of The Corporate World. I can assure you I am not being paid at all, nor have I received any advances for my book. I don't use AdWords on this blog either, for revenue generation.A consistent argument I found of the Denialists/Dissidents was that retroviruses don't cause illness in people. For that argument I have but two words: Reverse Transcriptase. I'm not a scientist, but the evidence is overwhelming. Many call AIDS a disease as well. This is wrong. It is a Syndrome, not a disease.Why?The respons... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=995026 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:39:00 +0100 995026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=987196&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fhiv-testing-killers-perception-apathy.html Yet another new study pointing to what seems to be a growing apathy towards being tested for HIV. Even from among high-risk individuals and those at risk of contact through potentially tainted blood products. From articles, blog entries and subsequent research the sentiment for America and many parts of Canada seems to be that HIV is now simply a "chronic disease" that if you feel ill then you pop down to your GP and pick up a prescription for some ARV's and then off you go and live well for the next 25 or so years.In Africa testing hits the wall in terms of cultural beliefs and receives a further battering from popular mythology, such as having sex with girls under 15 means you won't become infected. In the Middle-East there is the all-pervading religious belief that drawing blood is just... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=987196 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:56:00 +0100 987196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979250&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Faids-dissidents-part-1-what-is-this.html The crisp autumn air has finally settled in, and armed with a warm tea I retire to the rec room with my MacBook and the TV humming in the background and go deeper into the world of the AIDS Dissidents. I stumble out of my suburban comfort watching a trailer for the movie "The Other Side of AIDS" as a fellow proudly pipes up that "HIV is some proteins found in a laboratory at Abbott Laboratories, it isn't real." I suddenly had this vision of thousands of little scientists in starched white lab coats hopping onto planes to Africa and Latin America and sticking needles loaded with an evil concoction into people arms.These are the AIDS Dissidents. They are a growing number of people who argue HIV is a retrovirus, therefore it can't cause AIDS because retroviruses don't kill people. The Disside... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979250 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:34:00 +0100 979250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=976421&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fhiv-testing-ongoing-fragmentation.html HIV testing remains low in the U.S. say researchers. It is slightly higher in Canada and many parts of Western Europe, certainly higher in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland given their social health care systems and routine testing practices for not just HIV, but other issues such as diabetes, hepatitis and cholesterol. Current estimates say there are about 1.1 Million people infected with HIV, and that 25% of them don't know they're infected. Women, as expected, are tested more often than men.So, will the availability of an OTC rapid HIV test make a difference? Perhaps by a tiny fraction. As I've indicated in prior posts, most people buying an OTC test for HIV will make the purchase online. They will also be in the lowest risk category. In fact, it is the low-risk categories of people that ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=976421 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:49:00 +0100 976421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=964623&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Frapid-hiv-tests-yes-to-otc-no-to-doctor.html One can be quite sure the FDA will approved rapid HIV testing for OTC sales in your local Walgreens and Wal-Mart sometime in the next 18 months, give or take a few months. The media has hyped it a few times, OraSure has hired a VP for the consumer marketing side, all the other players have been at the table pushing their wares and marketing budgets are getting lined up with the PR push.What surprised me was that over 30 States have laws barring doctors from conducting rapid HIV tests. My experience in researching the physician office testing market opportunity a couple of years ago was that doctors were not really comfortable testing anyway. It meant that if a test was positive, they would have to spend more time with the patient counseling them. That translated into lost daily per patient... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=964623 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:26:00 +0100 964623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941884&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Frapid-hiv-tests-law-suit-filed.html In my last post I pondered why no major sales for the FDA approved rapid HIV tests? OraSure and Clearview do reasonably well, MedMira and Trinity as well. Inverness’ Clearview dominates the market outside the US at around 70% (according to the last studies I could access from 3 years ago, so this may have changed.) In large part, rapid HIV testing has yet to really take off in a significant way. I believe this is a result of many moving pieces not coming together (local politics, disorganized support for NGO’s, on/off programs etc.) and fractured financing for all of it. The U.S. CDC has worked in a number of developing nations to develop excellent programs, but the governments rarely implement them on a national level, or remain committed to deliver beyond some pilot programs that rec... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=941884 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:52:00 +0100 941884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=932059&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Frapid-hiv-tests-wheres-money.html I've reviewed the FDA approved manufacturers of rapid HIV tests, and I've mentioned the 30+ other manufacturers. I've written about what I see, as a marketer, as their weak points. Having spent 3 years in that business, well, it is of interest and is my frame of reference for the battle for HIV/AIDS.Some salient points have been nibbling at the back of my mind, however. Reading a recent article brought them bubbling to the surface. Of the key players in the US market, OraSure seems to be leading the pack, trailed by Trinity and MedMira and I suspect Inverness in last place. All of which are public companies and all of which to some degree are leveraging the media to bolster stock prices. Some are doing better than others. Then there's the looming OTC market.What gets me is that in reading ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=932059 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:12:00 +0100 932059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=931190&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fhiv-news-tourism-revived-down-under.html Australia Opens Up To Tourists Again After 25 YearsMelbourne, June 20th 2050, WP: Australia's Minister of Tourism & Immigration today announced the re-opening of tourism in that country and work visa’s starting June 30th of 2050 for the first time since 2025, when they closed the nations' borders except under very strict and limited conditions. After the 2025 border closing, the government only permitted U.S., Canadian and EU military and diplomatic personnel or visitors who agreed to aggressive HIV pre-screening with a four-week quarantine period on arrival to enter Australia. After twenty-five years the borders may be open, but significant restrictions will still apply. All visitors must have their country of residence Status Card and must undergo a test immediately upon entering A... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=931190 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:55:00 +0100 931190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=925370&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fhome-hiv-tests-how-to-package.html Packaging for the consumer market is never easy, I took a stab at designing what a Home HIV test package might just look like, focusing on all the warnings. Careful consideration must go into overall design; colours, size, shape, text type and size, images and more. Then there's the standard regulatory requirements depending on the nature of the product (food, drugs, shampoo etc.) and where it's sold.A retailer of consumer packaged goods, whether they be food or health care products, knows they have about 2 seconds to catch someones eye on the store shelf. Look at shampoo the next time you're in that aisle, and see the various bottle shapes, sizes and colours; all are trying to get your attention.With a product that has any level of complexity to it, such as a rapid HIV home test will have... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=925370 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:34:00 +0100 925370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=921794&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Frapid-hiv-tests-not-diagnosis.html What is the real purpose of a rapid HIV test? Product inserts of the various manufacturers all have one line in common (of the current FDA approved tests) - "to aid in the diagnosis of..." and there's the rub for the consumer. Is it a distinction that matters? How will it be communicated? The FDA has never approved a rapid HIV test to actually diagnose HIV, only to "aid in the diagnosis of HIV."Once they obtain OTC approval, the various companies will begin their marketing campaigns. Let's face it, all the tests perform well enough. Each one will have some false-positives or false-negatives. You can't possibly have 100% correct results all the time. And then there's human error. The CDC concluded it was human error that resulted in the false-positives of the OraSure tests a couple years ag... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=921794 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:25:00 +0100 921794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918051&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Freal-otc-game-for-rapid-hiv-test-makers.html The real game will rely on distribution - but what kind of distribution?The impending PR game over rapid HIV tests going OTC is looming, as we know. I've outlined in previous posts the players. Leading the pack is OraSure with OraQuick Advance, in terms perception at least, followed by Inverness with Clearview (certainly not in terms of perception) and possibly MedMira and perhaps BioLytical if they can get approvals in time to join the pack.As much as the public relations battle is critical in terms of public perception, the real game is played in the distribution channel. OraSure has done exceedingly well in the perception game. They've had CNN coverage and had the former Secretary of Health, Tommy Thompson help them launch OraQuick. They were first to market and enjoyed a strong relatio... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918051 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:53:00 +0100 918051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=915067&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwill-rapid-hiv-tests-going-otc-help.html In the case of a rapid HIV tests being available in local drugstores soon, will it help or hinder our knowledge of the spread of HIV? Will the CDC know more about how HIV is spreading? Will they know better where it is spreading and be able to better direct and manage education, testing and treatment services with the health care system?This signifies the starting point of a whole new industry segment for diagnostic companies, not just in the USA, but in the highly regulated Western World. Following a test being easily available to the public for such a controversial and highly conspicuous virus, surely other viruses and diseases will follow - Herpes, Syphilis, strep throat and more. Any market analyst worth their salt must be salivating at the possible returns on market leaders such as Or... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=915067 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:45:00 +0100 915067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=891654&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fhiv-and-bubonic-plague-economic-boon.html Just about everyone in Western society is familiar with "The Plague", which was the Bubonic Plague of the 1300's. HIV is our newest plague, or perhaps Plague 2.0. Will it become, an economic boon? How cruel is that? To think of something so vicious as eventually becoming an economic boon? It's certainly an economic benefit to many organizations as discussed briefly in my last post.Looking at current global sociopolitical events, tied in with the ongoing spread and cost of HIV, there are, I find, some remarkable, and frightening, similarities. In the 1300's, Plague 1.0 saw everyone leaving cities and heading to the country. Political infrastructures were also collapsing as empires re-aligned themselves and there was no hegemony in the world. The British Empire was yet to come to prominence.... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=891654 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:23:00 +0100 891654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=888634&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fglobal-brand-of-hivaids.html AIDS has become a global powerhouse brand. It grew to global status faster than Coca-Cola or Pepsi. It is perhaps, the most recognized brand of “death” in the world. It is the most expensive brand you can ever personally acquire, for it will cost you your life. I suspect that if a worldwide study of brands were to be conducted and HIV/AIDS was included in that survey, it would rank as one of the most recognized “brands” in the world. It is visually represented to “consumers” by the red ribbon, and “red” has become a colour synonymous with HIV/AIDS now, as evidenced in the commercialization of associated products like Motorola’s Red RKR and the iPod Red.A brand in its truest sense, is something that is determined by the consumer. A company does not create the brand, instea... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=888634 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:38:00 +0100 888634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=885428&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Frapid-tests-lateral-vs-gravity-response.html One of the greatest things about the Web as a whole is the ability for collaboration. Part of that is feedback on just about anything. I've had several emails and a few comments on my last post about Lateral Flow versus Flow-Through tests. I prefer Flow-Through as I've stated. This is based on field experience...but...I had to reflect; and I must admit, I exposed too much bias without enough truly scientific proof. One commentator calls for a more comprehensive study of the two technologies in humid and other settings. I think this would be a great idea, and would present a better, more scientific summary. I was incorrect to extend so much bias into my blog and thanks to my readers for calling me on that. My area of interest is less the science and technology of rapid tests as it is the ec... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=885428 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:54:00 +0100 885428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=861900&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Frapid-hiv-tests-lateral-or-gravity.html One of the toughest parts of business is that some products just don't make it. And sometimes that's to the detriment of the consumer and in the case of HIV/AIDS, to the world as a whole. In technology, Oracle is the world's leading database company - but there was a far superior product; but that company lacked the ability to market and raise the capital to succeed. Oracle is what we are stuck with. Then there's Apple's OSX, superior to Windows Vista in many ways, but has only 5% of the market.There have been better cars, better microwave ovens and well, better almost anything. In healthcare however, this has far reaching and dangerous consequences. In the case of rapid HIV tests, we are seeing an old technology win out over a far superior technology because of legal patents and the abili... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=861900 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:54:00 +0100 861900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=847351&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fcoming-pr-battle-for-rapid-hiv-tests.html I've written before on the looming battle for market share with rapid HIV tests going OTC in the US market. It's hard to know exactly when, perhaps a year, maybe less, maybe more. What I do know is that there's a couple of public relations agencies who are going to do very well.Although I've said OraSure doesn't have much senior marketing representation on its executive, they do now, and they do know how to get media attention. But then let's face it, an oral test for HIV that gives a result in 15 or so minutes makes for a good news story, and OraSure's PR council knows it. They're very good. And it is OraSure who will likely lead the way in the coming battle of perception.It is about perception after all. When the PR Engines kick into high gear, the first move will be to issue press relea... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=847351 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:24:00 +0100 847351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=843804&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fglobal-solution-to-hivaids-pandemic.html As I sat on my back deck yesterday in the waning sun drinking a steaming cup of Rooibos in the cool afternoon air pondering the onset of autumn, I started to mull about how HIV/AIDS could be conquered. To say its complicated is an understatement of the century. Today it is fragmented at best. Fraught with political and religious interference, fueled by consumerism and well-intentioned but dangerous cross-cultural ideals. Ego's and dreams of being the one to yell "eureka!" only serve to add even more fuel to this raging pandemic. So, how could it be fought?A Governing BodyIt needs a global governing body to begin with. It needs political minds to concur and mutually sponsor the formation and management of policies. A governing body would have to recognize the various cultures of each region... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=843804 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:58:00 +0100 843804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=835510&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fother-rapid-hiv-tests.html My last several blog entries have taken a look at the manufacturers of rapid HIV tests with FDA approval. The ones that are marketed in the country with arguably the best safeguards for bringing medical devices and drugs to the market. Although not infallible and suffering their share of mistakes, both the CDC and FDA operate with the best of intentions to do the best they can for the people of the United States, and subsequently many other countries. For companies that do seek the potential higher margins and lucrative rewards of an FDA approval for their product, they can also do well globally. Sort-of.Fortunately, many governments and distribution companies looking to sell medical products, look for those products that have FDA approval; whether they are diagnostics or drugs. In most de... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=835510 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:34:00 +0100 835510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=816711&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Frapid-hiv-tests-in-america-speed-or.html How fast do you want to know you're HIV positive? Do you want to know faster that you're negative? Certainly. Does it in fact matter, what you, as a consumer, even want?I spent a few years marketing a rapid HIV test in the US market and if you've read my entries before this one, you've read about pricing, who the competitors are and issues on education and the pending OTC market. A recent comment on my blog lead me to think again about the issue of speed, the patient being tested and the health care system buying the test. The patient should be the primary concern in healthcare. To the nurses, public health care workers and doctors, the patient is the first concern. To the finance people, I'm not so sure. The "finance people" are the hospital and HMO purchasing agents, CFO's (Chief Financi... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=816711 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:36:00 +0100 816711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806977&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fbarrel-rapid-hiv-test.html ConclusionAs I said before, undercapitalized and little to no marketing savvy. Unless they raise significant capital, they will simply ride the coat tails of Inverness and Chembio. They may just get swallowed up in acquisition by Inverness as well, perhaps once more of the debt is written off. I suspect Inverness will wait until they are desperate and or on their last gasp and get them for pennies. Inverness has secured their market position and can afford to be patient. (Source: Slimconomy) Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806977 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 20:50:00 +0100 806977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=803713&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fbig-daddy-of-rapid-hiv-tests-inverness.html ConclusionThese guys own the market. The test isn't the greatest, it takes 15-45 minutes for results. They don't sell a lot in the US, but like OraSure they have HIV-2 approval as well, which in terms of optics, is important, if not in reality. The risk is how high these guys are leveraged and turning acquisitions into profitable entities, just like Trinity. They are a little lighter on marketing savvy, which means less chance for Economic Profit, but they are good at alliances and acquiring marketing channels...these guys are the ones to beat for the smaller players. Likely OraSure will be a threat to them, but MedMira, BioLytical and Trinity are of little consequence to Inverness. The two players with the biggest war chest are OraSure and Inverness, and lets face it, the tests are around... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=803713 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:22:00 +0100 803713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=801437&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fmicrosoft-of-rapid-hiv-tests-orasure.html ConclusionI personally don't like the oral fluid approach to HIV testing. It's far too risky to put in the hands of consumers, and will come back to haunt them someday, and we've already had a small taste of false-positives. They have lots of cash and good solid revenues and a strong management team. They lack in global awareness and savvy, but they've leveraged the NGO angle overseas and they're tight with the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS; all good moves. They will need to bolster their global capability and perhaps hire a better branding firm to look more professional; but shareholders don't care while they get dividend cheques and management makes bonuses. While the scientists may have a sense of helping people, the business people are pure-play profit and OraSure is all about ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=801437 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:51:00 +0100 801437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797990&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Ftrinity-uni-gold-rapid-hiv-test-quiet.html ConclusionI don't know how or why the FDA approved this test, but there you have it. Trinity is profit motivated in the truest sense of the word. They will be around and always, annoyingly, there. They offer an alternative but none of their products are really distinctive. They are generally quiet and focused on selling, which is good. With a little marketing effort though, they could be a serious contender. If they sign a major national distributor as well, they will do much better. They bite at the heels of OraSure and will remain a primary player in the US. At some point though, they will have to deliver on sales. They have a lot of debt and are highly leveraged, this could lead to financial instability in a few years. (Source: Slimconomy) Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797990 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:19:00 +0100 797990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797134&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fmedmira-rapid-test-can-laggard-catch-up.html ConclusionA promising product that is reliable and enjoys the good Canadian reputation for quality. But they sorely lack capital and have a mountain of debt to climb. They lack any significant branding management and no marketing or senior selling capability. They are strong with patents and have multiple products lined up, but have yet to show real success in terms of commercialization. If they leverage their combination test, Multiplo, with HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV and all three, they could make some serious headway in the market, but they need to let the marketers do their job. If they do get whole blood approval in the US, this will also help. Like Biolytical though, they will face a challenge with CLIA Waiver and subsequent OTC approval, although personally I'd rather see these two get OTC... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797134 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:54:00 +0100 797134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797135&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fbiolytical-rapid-hiv-test-sustainable.html Conclusion:A single marker test and only one product, inability to offer competitive pricing in developing nations, very weak sales and marketing communications, no obvious new products, fierce competition in the US without HIV-2 and no expected support from the CDC makes it a real challenge for Biolytical to succeed. They will also need a big war chest, at least $20 Million if they want to have an impact. They will have a hard time in the US with being Canadian and OraSure is the one to beat, despite oral-fluid tests not being ideal, OraSure runs the market there. Outside the US and Canada they will have to contend with Scottish company Inverness Medical, who own about 70% of the worldwide rapid HIV testing market and sell upwards of 18 million tests a year and manufacture at pennies a te... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797135 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:36:00 +0100 797135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=793488&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fhiv-education-another-fractured.html The more awareness of HIV the better - obvious statement of the month. What I have come to find interesting is how awareness and education have evolved between developed and developing nations. In Africa and parts of Asia and Latin America, HIV/AIDS education is very much based on a grassroots, culturally integrated approach. In the Western World it has been through the education system to some degree and in large part has been through the entertainment industry.In the Gambia as an example, the Nova Scotia Gambia Association in conjunction with the government, developed a traveling road show several years ago. This involved using students who acted out various plays about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and how people can prevent becoming infected; they use singing, comedy and drama, breaking ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=793488 Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:09:00 +0100 793488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=790617&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fhiv-going-otc-start-your-engines.html The battle for the OTC market for HIV home testing is about to be joined. OraSure has hired a VP of consumer marketing, signaling they have a good expectation of receiving initial approval for an OTC rapid HIV test for home use. I suspect they will get approval before the other companies will; it is well documented that MedMira, a Canadian company, had their approval "delayed" by 6 months back in 2000. I speculate that this enabled OraSure to gain initial market share, raise stock price and get media attention.As I got through a 2006 article on the CDC website "The Body" on HIV issues, they discuss the situation. I recommend reading the article as a good primer on the FDA's consideration of OTC approval for rapid HIV testing at home. What came to mind was the subtle way of the CDC again pr... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=790617 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:37:00 +0100 790617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764754&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fsydney-declaration-fails-test-on-hiv.html I am number 1688 to sign the Sydney Declaration, held in Sydney, Australia this past July. Yet I believe there is a part of the declaration that fails the test. So why did I sign - because we need initiatives, and there is much good that can come of the continued drive to fight a pandemic with grave economic and human impact.So why do I think the Sydney Declaration failed in Australia this year? Testing. HIV testing. As I look back to the conferences I've attended, the hundreds of articles I read, the lobbying I've done, I notice a glaring gap in the battle for HIV - testing.The only conference I ever attended to focus on HIV testing was CDC conferences, whose sole focus was HIV testing, and mostly Rapid HIV Testing. Why, I continue to wonder, does testing get such short shrift? My researc... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764754 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 02:15:00 +0100 764754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764755&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fhiv-2-good-for-share-price.html How OraSure Leveraged HIV-2 To Drive Share Price & VolumeIn 2003 in Illinois, two titans of the health care industry went to battle with the State Assembly. Compared to the raucous media battles over the intellectual property of ARV drug formulas, this was but a skirmish. But it was perhaps the first salvo in the coming battle for one company's determination to capture a market. OraSure leveraged the legal forces of Abbott, it's then main distributor, to lobby the State to make HIV-2 testing mandatory in Illinois. Chicago (actually Waukeegan, a small suburb north of Chicago) is home to both Abbott and Cardinal Health. It was Cardinal Health who would line up its legal forces in this opening skirmish.But testing for HIV-2 and HIV-1, that's good isn't it?For a small company with a product th... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764755 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 00:56:00 +0100 764755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=749066&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Freal-costs-of-hiv-testing.html Given today's concept of a global economy and the theory that nations are all doing their best to combat the AIDS pandemic, one wonders why we've not seen a more comprehensive and unified attempt to lower the costs of combating HIV/AIDS. The most powerful force to date influencing global costs is the Clinton Foundation, who've taken the approach of not just forcing potential suppliers to lower retail pricing, which simply erodes margin and does nothing at the supply end, but instead did attack the supplier end. They pushed raw materials suppliers to the manufacturers to reduce their costs. This was far more effective, but one might wonder if it also hasn't generated selective pricing instances. One might be safe in assuming that the supplier of, for example, lateral-flow test membranes, wo... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=749066 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:57:00 +0100 749066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=735564&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fpolygamy-best-friend-of-hiv.html Here we go back to Africa yet again. It must be hard for Africa, always the subject of near any issue related to HIV and AIDS, but there you have it. Western Management Policy has done well to help former colonies recede more and more into economic ruin. Perhaps nowhere more so can this be seen than in Western Africa. In Sierra Leone, the government is run by a 27 year old president, by day. By night it is lawless. Borders with surrounding nations are almost non-existent, except on the wall maps of EU and American parliamentarians dishing out aid packages. Perhaps the better maps to look at would be French Foreign Legion military ones, showing where rebel armies move and other "gangs" in these countries.There are (as of 2006), some 360,000+ refugees from Sierra Leone living in Liberia. Yet... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=735564 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 23:37:00 +0100 735564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=726334&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fhiv-news-diamonds-sparkle-again.html Diamond Industry Sparkles Again?Johannesburg Bureau, FP, April 11th, 2030; The Dutch-based Global Diamond Consortium today announced that it is forecasting a 20% drop in global diamond prices over the next three years due to the increasing availability of labour in Botswana and South Africa’s mining industry due to stabilization of the AIDS epidemic in the region. Jan De Voerhoven, president of the Consortium said “we’re encouraged by the recent re-opening of two mines in Botswana and one in South Africa with foreign investment money, and after our aggressive testing, treatment and education programs over the past ten years. This is encouraging for the future and for the Diamond Index.” In 2016 the diamond mining industry collapsed under loss of available labour in the mines and re... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=726334 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:41:00 +0100 726334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=720458&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fhiv-mythology-2-countries.html England and South Africa, just a 10 hour flight apart. I did it several times. Based on my chats with people who haven't been to South Africa (and tourism is rather low for North Americans, and many Europeans - sans the Dutch of course), think it is a rather backward place. In terms of fighting HIV, yes it is. But South Africa is also an extremely complex place, and very sophisticated with its marketing and consumer economy - you want to see a country that loves BMW's and Audi's, just drive around Jo'Burg for an hour. I often compare South Africa to Canada in terms of sophistication.So why look at England and South Africa? Culture. And culture is a key element in the battle to fight HIV, as disjointed and commercially driven as it is. A recent study by the highly respectable Terrence Higgi... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=720458 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:05:00 +0100 720458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=705767&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fstop-managing-hiv-in-developing-nations.html How do you "manage" a pandemic in developing nations, or even the world? Ask the Western governments. Globalization has been a miserable economic failure and that was the result of management. In the 1970's, G7 (now G8) governments began a new system of policy for developing nations - managed debt.So what does all this have to do with HIV in developing nations and its impact on the developed world? The ongoing spread of HIV in developing nations and subsequently developed nations (i.e. G8 nations) is management process. Globalization is an economic management policy. The theory of G7 nations at the time was to provide lots of money to developing nations and management process - but these were management processes suited to developed nations, with infrastructure and a knowledge base for a k... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=705767 Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:27:00 +0100 705767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=691336&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fclinton-business-and-hiv.html I've been critical of how the Clinton Foundation went about selecting it's rapid HIV tests for developing nations, and of the poor quality of the tests selected. I still don't believe they selected the right rapid tests. What I do see with the Clinton Foundation is that their approach and strategy is more likely to be successful than the current US Government programs and fits well with the Gates Foundation approach.Clinton is using his influence in a way that shows he understands the "business of HIV"; that he has the power to influence market forces. Their programs work like this - they approach multiple suppliers of a product, such as ARV drugs, and hold out that wonderful carrot beloved by all corporations - money. There are many drug and diagnostic test manufacturers, and in the HIV i... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=691336 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:51:00 +0100 691336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=683377&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fwas-aids-biological-weapon.html There is the "Heart of Darkness" theory that HIV/AIDS is man made, that the US government did this to us all. Or some other government. Some say it was devised to kill off the gay and black populations in Africa. Some say it was delivered globally in Smallpox vaccinations. Some say it was CIA through a cancer vaccine research program and yet others that it was the Catholic church in cahoots with the CIA. Yeah, OK, I can see the Pope figuring that one out.So could it have been a biological weapon? Given what we can do now with science and genetics and DNA and all the cool gear we see on CSI...which we know just doesn't work that fast. So, lets just look at the first most vital rule of a government out to create a biological weapon - economic and territorial gain. A government creates a bio ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=683377 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:38:00 +0100 683377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623831&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fhiv-news-south-africa-stabilizing.html Stabilization of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa?Johannesburg Bureau, GPN, May 10th 2038; The African Union today announced that its highly controversial controlled pregnancy program in seven African nations has resulted over 20,000 HIV free children, the largest HIV free population born in ten years. Since the economic collapse of several African nations from 2018 to 2021 and the massive humanitarian support effort launched by the EU and UN, economists and scientists alike are starting to believe that Africa can be stabilized despite the loss of 40% of its workforce. Hardest hit Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa have seen a stabilization take effect in the last three years, but predict that it will be twenty to thirty years before they will see a viable workforce improvement and attrac... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623831 Fri, 18 May 2007 12:51:00 +0100 623831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620444&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fwhat-does-hiv-apple-have-in-common.html Thailand has done it again. They have not, according to the US government, broken the rules in regards to Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), for letting in generics or manufacturing their own version of HIV/AIDS ARV drugs. The US Government (as do all WTO members) recognizes a country's right to issue a Compulsory License (allowing a country to void IP issues in cases of an emergency), but didn't like the way Thailand went about it. I wonder how the people of Thailand, dying from HIV feel? Get meds and stay alive, or let the executives battle it out in the courtroom? Kudos to Thailand for thinking of people not dividends.There is a "Thai" group that doesn't support the governments moves to get ARV drugs to people, though a little d... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620444 Fri, 11 May 2007 16:03:00 +0100 620444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620445&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fhiv-is-boring.html I beleive we are growing rather apathetic towards the looming pandemic of HIV and AIDS. This frightens me perhaps more than HIV itself.There’s always some article out there about HIV every week, either on the TV or in local papers. Always on the Internet; HIV victims blogs, rants and social commentaries abound. The UNAIDS section of the United Nations is always pushing its agenda (issue reports, make them scary and so get more funding), and the NGO’s are constantly seeking more funds. Governments every now and then pipe up with a new donation to help fund HIV and AIDS programs for cures and such. In fact each year a U.S. president announces some new level of AIDS funding; its become so routine one even wonders if the president really even thinks about it or they just have a pre-determi... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620445 Wed, 09 May 2007 19:04:00 +0100 620445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=580953&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fwhere-did-that-15b-for-pepfar-go-anyway.html Dr. Mark Dybul is the man put in place by the Republicans to oversee the administration of the $15 Billion PEPFAR fund to ensure ARV drugs to fight AIDS reach the targeted developing nations. In the story I link to here, it is rather interesting that there is more coverage about his Bay area visit than there is about program effectiveness. There's even an interesting claim that the program should go $3 Billion over budget as it comes up for reauthorization.The numbers say 882,000 people are on ARV treatment, increasing by 50,000 per month. At the suggested average price of $90 per year per person on generics (I notice US and Canadian governments look down their noses at "generics", I suppose cause they aren't made there, so the Big Pharma's aren't making the $$, yet usually one of the Big ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=580953 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:18:00 +0100 580953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539475&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fhiv-future-airline-industries-re-start.html Post-HIV Pandemic Airline Industry Takes Off AgainTableau Press, New York, July 2030: A new airline industry report shows that in 2049 three new airlines started up in that year worldwide, bringing the total operating airlines in 2050 to 15 from 12 with 7 flying intercontinental routes. Industry analysts predict that with many countries managing their HIV epidemics now, and new drug regimens and testing programs showing an overall decrease in HIV rates, that airline industry revenues should increase significantly through 2060, provided a decline in HIV infections worldwide is maintained. Says Davis Stein of Aviation Watch International, one of only two industry analysts left, “people have missed their ability to travel, to get out of country, foreign governments need new outside cash sou... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539475 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:32:00 +0100 539475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=530624&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fhiv-testing-do-it-quietly.html The CDC in the US has called any number of times for national testing for HIV. It sent a tractor trailer around to high prevalence areas to do rapid testing in urban centres, it set up programs with the Public Health Labs, and clinics at universities - all have failed to some degree. Not for lack of trying. Dr. Branson, the driver behind the CDC's HIV programs has been innovative, and worked tirelessly (if not sadly oversupporting one product over another) to bring testing to the US. He is dedicated, and he and his medical associates are correct in calling for national testing. He is a quiet man, driven, dedicated. But he isn't really being heard. He's not getting above the noise, and with other organizations in the US and other countries, they are creating noise. A lot of noise. Too much ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=530624 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:30:00 +0100 530624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=511645&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Ffuturesnap-usa-tightens-hiv-tourist.html Washington, January 30th, 2019: The White House today announced increased restrictions on tourists visiting the United States and looking to immigrate from countries with high instances of HIV and AIDS in order to better control, as Secretary of State Georgina Bushnell says "...the incidences of foreign influenced spreading of this scourge..."at an announcement earlier today. In a study last year, it was determined that the recent increases of HIV- 2 instances in the American population are largely due to tourists and immigrants from high-prevelance HIV/AIDS nations such as Africa, Romania, Russia, China and several other nations.Tourists will now have to provide documentation on a US Embassy supplied form of an HIV test signifying their negative status when entering the US as part of the ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=511645 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:34:00 +0100 511645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495747&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fkiller-rapid-hiv-tests.html How can a rapid HIV test be a killer? Sadly this is an issue not so much in US and Canada, but it is in Europe, Russia, parts of Asia, Latin America and Africa, yes, once again, mostly in developing nations. Why? It has to do with scarcity of aid funds for testing, lack of regulations on healthcare products in developing nations and the inability of governments and international aid organizations to put testing at the forefront of managing the HIV pandemic.For example, GBC (Business Fights AIDS) and Clinton Foundation do support the need for testing, although it's hardly at the forefront of thier efforts, yet when they have signed on rapid HIV test manufacturers, they don't sign on FDA or Health Canada approved products. Clinton Foundation negotiated the cheapest possible rates for bulk bu... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495747 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:01:00 +0100 495747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495748&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fbusiness-fights-aids-for-fee-please.html The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS. A "non-profit" that brings businesses together to fight HIV/AIDS and now TB and Malaria as well, and joins businesses with healthcare services and lobbies governments. They have developed and launched some impressive initiatives, that have and are helping. Their members are, for the most part, committed to having an impact. Arguably, I'd say, more so than governments and many religious organizations have.But the operative word in there is "business" and that's what it is. While the intent is good and they are conducting, for perhaps the first time in the world, a coordinated program on fighting HIV/AIDS, they do have a business approach and style. My only criticism of GBC's process is their cost of entry and the inherent dangers and limitations th... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495748 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:37:00 +0100 495748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495749&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fhiv-fractured-assault.html The Germans lost world war II in part because they spread across too many fronts and could no longer support or coordinate their resources. The Americans in Iraq have spread resources thin and are engaged on multiple fronts. The Romans tackled too much and grew soporific. The Mycenians spread too thin, attempting too much. In the battle against HIV, resources are allocated without strategy, coordination internationally is fragmented at best, generally chaotic and politically or religously motivated with well-meaning healthcare providers at the mercy of government funding and so relegated to advice that is often not well taken.Lets take a look at just the surface of what's happening and how none of it is globally coordinated. Even the supposed UN of global health, the WHO, is only marginall... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495749 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 23:51:00 +0100 495749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495750&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fhiv-and-aids-no-relation.html I recall in June of 2005 attending an AIDS conference in Durban, South Africa. It was quite an event, packed solid in a modern conference facility. It was almost a circus. On the flight from Johannesburg to Durban I had the fortune to be bumped to Business Class. As I was buckling in, a smartly dressed, professional woman sat next to me. I did a double-take. It was the South African federal minister of health. She was sitting in the aisle seat, on her way to the AIDS conference I assumed, since it was all over the media. And here I was marketing a rapid HIV test and trying to sell to her government. I won't recall the details of that conversation here, it's a broader discussion.But in our discussion, she was very much looking forward to what Dr. Matthias Rath would be bringing to the confe... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495750 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:05:00 +0100 495750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495751&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Funafordable-plague-hiv.html I'm not an economist, but some quick math with available numbers makes one realize the staggering economic realities of treating this HIV pandemic. And if one looks at the fragmented and discordant approach to treating the pandemic to date, you can quickly realize that a cure is more than a miracle, and is unlikely.In 2005, a study showed that of the 40,000 or so infected with HIV in the US alone, the cost of treating those with a CD-4 count lower than 200 (the AIDS threshold), would be $12.6 Billion over an average 22 years of a persons expected lifespan. This in a country with reasonably good, albeit expensive, healthcare access and services.Take the US study's estimate of an average lifespan of 22 years, at $400,000 per person and move that to Africa with a conservative, very conservati... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495751 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:49:00 +0100 495751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495752&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fprivacy-rapid-hiv-tests-in-walgreens.html There's been some mutterings about privacy issues in regards to selling rapid HIV tests Over The Counter (OTC) in the US market. While there's some validity, lets look at the process of rapid testing being sold OTC, and I think privacy is not so much the issue.Who's Buying It? - Speaking as a marketer who's done the research, the Primary Psychographic Target (the profile of people who will buy a product and their mindset) is male/female equally, who are between 18 and 35, at the younger end they are college/university educated, at the top age end the same, but middle to higher income earners and have had at the bottom age end between 2-4 sexual partners and at the top end between 7-9 sexual partners; generally not overly active. They are likely into or about to enter into, a serious monoga... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495752 Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:16:00 +0100 495752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495753&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Freligion-scorns-hiv.html Religion remains a foundation of societies in developed and developing nations. Christian Fundamentalism is on the rise and so is the Islamic faiths. Neither really want to tackle HIV/AIDS though. Traditional Christian faiths are even worse. The Catholic church continues to deny the use and value of condoms in HIV prevention and now the US government under Bush's direction, is refuting the use of condoms. In Uganda, the US refused ongoing AIDS help until the Ugandan government stopped handing out condoms - subsequently, a country which was effectively fighting AIDS, found itself suddenly fighting an 11% increase in HIV infections.Some religious groups, both Christian and Islamic, have been very progressive in attempting to de-stigmatize a disease that doesn't care about values, morals, rel... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495753 Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:03:00 +0100 495753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495754&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Funspoken-economic-cost-of-hiv.html In 2005, an IDRC panel showed some interesting numbers that if we'd had a vaccine for HIV in the 3 years promised 18 years ago, we'd have saved $8 Trillion in US economy terms. Wow. That's a good 2 or 3 jet fighters at least and maybe even a war or two tossed in for good measure over a bowl of wheaties.Maybe this is so. Maybe $8 Trillion is a reasonable number. But there are the costs of HIV that aren't considered, and I wish I was an economist who could crunch the numbers on the additional hidden costs. All I do know is that I had conversations with developing nation government officials, very circuitus conversations, but I got what was being dropped. Even with super cheap ARV drugs, there is a significant additional economic cost to keeping people alive.Fact; there's no vaccine. Fact; th... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495754 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:39:00 +0100 495754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495755&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fotc-need-for-system.html Having an OTC rapid HIV test is certainly a trigger for all the rapid tests for other infectious diseases. While the benefits remain strong for getting more people to test themselves, there needs to be careful consideration of privacy, reporting, public health monitoring, epidemiology management and public knowledge.In terms of public knowledge and public health monitoring, I beleive this means there needs to be a "system" as part of the rapid test. When I heard the FDA hearings the first time and OraSure presented, it was frightening. They couldn't properly answer half the technical questions, even with the scientists present, and they trooped a long line of sponsored spokespeople in front of the hearing, but neglected to address the issue of actually how the test would be conducted, and ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495755 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:57:00 +0100 495755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495756&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fbusiness-of-hiv-why-of-otc.html In my last entry, I discussed the main companies vying for a peice of the OTC action to sell a rapid HIV test Over The Counter (OTC) in the US Market. The two prime contenders are OraSure and MedMira, behind them are Trinity and Chembio. In the background, hovering, watching and waiting, is Inverness Medical.So why do they wall want to go OTC? An old friend of mine once said to me "If you can't find a solution to the problem, look for the financial interest." Her words have always stuck with me over the years; she is a smart business woman. So, what is the financial interest? It's far more than HIV. It started with pregnancy tests.Currently, the only rapid test available to consumers is a pregnancy test (I'm going to address this interesting aspect another time.) All other types of tests m... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495756 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 03:32:00 +0100 495756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495757&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Frapid-hiv-tests-going-otc-business.html I'm slipping on my marketing hat today. It's cold outside today anyway, so a hat is necessary. Amidst the arguments on should rapid HIV tests be available OTC (Over-The-Counter) or not, often missed is the financial interests at stake. I marketed a rapid HIV test for near 3 years, so I'm coming from the business angle in my personal interest in this new plague we are doing such a wonderful job of doing very little about. But in fact, business is doing very well with HIV thank-you very much.Why is business so interested in a rapid HIV test going retail? At the most basic level, it is economics. As a marketer, the first priority for a sustainable business is "where is the market going?" and don't ever think HIV is not a market, it is, very much so. It's worth billions globally, and its becom... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495757 Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:32:00 +0100 495757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495758&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fhow-america-buys-rapid-hiv-tests.html One would think that Americans get the best of pretty much all there is to offer in the latest healthcare products. Not so in rapid HIV tests, and I am sure it relates to other products. But then apathy is as strong in America as it is in Canada and the media is more interested in a big bucks story.Americans might think the CDC is looking out for them? Not necessarily with rapid HIV tests. The Drool Test as I call it, from OraSure, is a classic case of stock price interest over product value. I've talked about saliva vs. blood earlier in my blog, so you'll have to dig back for that - the short is that I think saliva tests are dangerous, and there is science to back that up.But the CDC had hitched their wagon to the OraSure test, and so did Bush when he was quoted in the company's initial l... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495758 Sat, 03 Feb 2007 00:59:00 +0100 495758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495759&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Fare-we-diminishing-hiv-going-otc.html If we allow a rapid HIV test into our local pharmacies, does it diminish the implications of HIV? Already there is the misconception that HIV is a "chronic condition" that is "manageable". Oh, so, 10 pills a day or more, constant lesions, pain and social outcasting is "manageable?" What will be the overall societal impact of enabling people to take a test at home, and then determine how they want to proceed with the next step based on the result?I suspect the majority of people who find a positive will seek attention and be responsible. It's the minority who go into shock and suddenly act out in anger. At the FDA hearings I attended in December of 2005, a number of professionals provided information on studies that showed that those testing positive rarely did anything negative and were no... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495759 Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:22:00 +0100 495759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495760&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Fhiv-tests-at-walgreens.html You can already buy an HIV test in drugstores in the U.S., it's made by a Chicago based company, Home Access, and it works by using dry bloodspot testing in a lab. You prick your finger, stain a cricle with your blood, then send it via courier to a lab, call a number a couple days later and get your results. No names are taken, and counseling is provided on the phone. They hold a patent for the process. Something sure to miff the lads at OraSure as they make their bid to sell oral tests OTC. It's not known for sure yet, but the FDA is looking for some form of counseling when a person does a test at home.I think it has to come. In Canada too and Europe. Enough people are foolishly buying bad tests online and taking them at home with likely no subsequent counseling, or understanding the "win... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495760 Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:22:00 +0100 495760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495761&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F12%2Fprofit-first-please.html Having been on the business end of HIV for a few years, I unfortunately got to see the real business end of HIV/AIDS. It has become a powerful economic force. Today, HIV is no longer about a "virus", it is about Sex, Religion, Politics and Money. That is what HIV is. It is a cause celeb for many, a political platform for others, a religious stance and a taboo for many.Some groups and organizations, the Stephen Lewis Foundation being probably the best in the sense of delivering true value and support, are doing good. USAID and the Imbizo program in South Africa as another. But many are ensuring profit is first, namely the drug companies and the diagnostic companies. One of the major challenges in Africa is that programs are very uncoordinated from country to country. Botswana and Uganda hav... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495761 Sat, 30 Dec 2006 18:08:00 +0100 495761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495762&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F12%2Fmen-dont-have-hiv-only-women.html Now there's a provocative statement! I take this from my experience in South Africa on the edge of Soweto, again at Baragwaneth and going deep into Soweto, a rather dynamic experience. Soweto is a case study for most of Africa in regards to male behaviour in general.Men don't get tested. Men won't get tested. Its' pretty much only women, and usually only when they are pregnant so they can get help for thier baby. It's still a patriarchal society, and men usually are married and have 2-3 mistresses, and often a male "freind" in another township nearby that they engage in "recreational sex" with, but don't call it homosexual activity. Similar to the "Down Low" activity in North American society. When a man's wife says she thinks she has AIDS, the men blame her. Often, they will kick her out ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495762 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:15:00 +0100 495762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495763&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F12%2Fproblem-with-oral-rapid-hiv-tests.html OraSure came blasting out of the coral a few years ago with its OraQuick rapid HIV test that used saliva. The US CDC and others have been all over it. No more finger-pricks, no more blood draws, just wipe a swab around your mouth and voila!But what they don't tell you is that if you drink coffee, soda, alcohol, smoke a cigarette or other substance or eat certain candies a half-hour or so BEFORE taking the test, you'll likely get a negative - perhaps a False-Negative. Then in December 2005, the San Francisco Gay & Lesbian Labs (a very highly regarded research centre) showed higher instances of False-Positives. Uh-oh. OraSure and its spin doctors got straight to work and their good buddies at the CDC said it was OK, but they still cancelled a $4 Million order, which they later fulfilled ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495763 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 01:06:00 +0100 495763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495764&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F12%2Fwhy-africa-doesnt-want-to-know.html UNAIDS estimates that in 2006, some 25 Million people are living with AIDS in Africa. But how do we know that for sure? What's the methodology. I know it's bad because I've seen it. In South Africa, in Botswana, in Moz. I've seen the line-ups at the clinics where women wait for their ARV drugs.What I struggle with is the accuracy of the tests and efficacy of the drugs. Most of the rapid tests used are from India and China, almost none are FDA approved, or have any formal approval. I saw rapid tests being used that were 2-3 years post-expiry, buffer solution (used in the procedure for rapid tests) where it was yellow from the heat and poor storage, finger-stick needles that were re-used after being washed in cold water, no disinfectant thank-you. In Durban, the regional health authorities u... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495764 Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:34:00 +0100 495764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495765&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F11%2Fnumskulls-guide-to-hiv-testing.html Forgot protection last night? Accidentally stepped on a needle and got pricked? Or just accidentally got pricked another way? Is there a Morning After Rapid HIV Test? No. You gotta wait, at least 3-12 weeks.Almost all viruses (even a head cold virus) have a "window" period, its the time when that nasty little beast in your bloodstream is going about replicating, or making clones if you will. It only takes a teeny bit to get infected, then it takes a while to clone itself, so a test just isn't "sensitive" enough to find the nasty little virus in your body.Rapid tests can only detect certain HIV proteins when you have enough of the stuff in your blood. And a whole blood test is better, saliva (oral) tests are OK, but have had higher levels of false-positives reported in the past 12 months, a... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495765 Tue, 28 Nov 2006 12:52:00 +0100 495765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495766&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F11%2Ffailure-in-rapid-testing.html The U.S. CDC wants everyone in America to be tested for HIV. Great idea, and should be so. They should do the same for Hepatitis C, which is as dangerous and keeps close company with its best pal, HIV. The CDC doesn't advocate only rapid HIV testing, there's in-lab testing as well, via a clinic.I think the failure comes in the completely confusing message about how to go about this. Check the CDC guidelines on rapid testing, they love to push Orasure all the time, neglecting or slamming any non-American competition (what will they do when an American competitor comes on the scene? But that's another story I'm working on.) Anyway, there's issues with oral testing scientifically. The CDC says "go get an oral test but follow it up with a blood test" and say in other places "oral testing for H... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495766 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 02:12:00 +0100 495766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495767&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F11%2Feveryone-is-negative-in-latin-america.html Rapid HIV tests have the best quality control in the US and Canada, Europe is almost there with CE Mark, but it doesn't mean much to most common folk. Outside the US and Canada, it's a whole different story. In developing nations, corruption, greed and and lack of money make it near impossible to have reliable rapid testing.So, what does that really matter to anyone in Canada or the USA? So what, its a developing nation. Well, people travel to and from. More so than ever. A chance encounter and "whammy!", you're infected, and you come home. Then pass it to your spouse or partner and so on we go.Here's a true story from about 2 years ago. I'm not going to say the country or give names of products, in part this is because some people in the Business of HIV are very determined. I began talks ... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495767 Sat, 18 Nov 2006 22:16:00 +0100 495767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495768&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F11%2Fbuying-hiv-tests-online-danger.html Do a Google search for rapid HIV tests and you'll get at least 6 sponsored links and many returns, some are CDC or FDA announcements. Others are trying to sell you a rapid test.Thinking of buying one, then here's what to do in one word: Don't. Why not? Because of the quality of the test you're buying, and issues around when you might have been exposed to HIV and when it will actually show up on a test. Think of a woman becoming pregnant, a pregnancy test won't show anything the morning after, but you did conceive the night before. It takes a while for the body to change.There is only ONE HIV test approved in the US by the FDA, none in Europe or Canada, all regions with stringent regulations for approving medical devices and drugs. The approved test is by Home Access, it's easy but you have... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495768 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 16:12:00 +0100 495768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495769&cid=s_35272_135_f&fid=35272&url=http%3A%2F%2Fslimconomy.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F10%2Frapid-hiv-testing-in-america-nightmare.html Most Americans have only heard of one rapid HIV test; Orasure, few have heard of Trinity Unigold, MedMira's Reveal G3 or BioRad's Multispot. This is only because Orasure is American and supported thusly, and has deep pockets for PR and marketing.I'm starting this blog with a basic, non-scientific review, of what rapid HIV tests are out there in the market. I used to market rapid HIV tests, I monitored competitors closely, I had global responsibility. I saw a lot of scary stuff out there. I hope this and my coming posts, will help guide better decisions and a better understanding of how HIV is affecting our economy worldwide.So, what's out there for U.S. FDA approved rapid tests? Orasure we've mentioned. Then there's MedMira's Reveal G3, Trinity Biotech's Unigold and BioRad's Multispot (whi... Slimconomy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495769 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 23:33:00 +0100 495769