New Aids drugs launched in Britain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The first of a new class of Aids drugs which can significantly improve patients' chances of survival was launched in Britain yesterday after winning EU-wide approval. Ritonavir, a "protease inhibitor", attacks Aids in a different way to existing drugs. It stops the virus's attempts to spread in the final stages of its life cycle; existing drugs work in the early stages.
Trials show that when the virus comes under double attack from both protease inhibitors and previously available treatments such as AZT, the amount of virus circulating in patients' bodies is reduced to undetectable levels. Patients' immune systems are also boosted. The chances of the disease progressing - and the risk of death - are therefore significantly reduced.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments