Fuzeon makers say reports of limited availability are premature

Officials from Durham, N.C.-based Trimeris say that despite media reports suggesting that initial supplies of the company's HIV entry inhibitor Fuzeon will be limited, the drugmaker has not determined how many patients will need the medication right away or what the initial production capacity will be. "It is just speculation," said a company spokesman. "We are waiting for new batches to be evaluated so we can give clearer guidance for 2003, but this is still to come. We expect this either somewhat later this month or early January, and this will allow us to calculate how many patients can be provided with the drug." The Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing Fuzeon, an injectable drug that is the first in the new entry-inhibitor class of medications. The agency is scheduled to issue its decision on the drug no later than March 16.