Gilead Sciences
launches antiretroviral education Web site

Drugmaker Gilead Sciences on Tuesday launched a new Web site aimed at educating HIV-positive people about advances in HIV treatment, including information about newer medications that could offer such benefits to HIVers as reduced pill burden or fewer adverse side effects. The Web site, at www.changeofhaart.com, includes a brief history of anti-HIV drugs, streaming video, an interactive quiz, information on how to manage antiretroviral-related side effects, and referrals to local AIDS service organizations. Gilead officials say they launched the Web site to mark the 10-year anniversary of the combination HIV therapy era, which began with the approval of the first protease inhibitor in December 1995.

"HIV treatment today is a far cry from what most patients endured when combination therapy was first introduced a decade ago," says Cal Cohen, clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, in a Gilead press release. "Thanks to recent advances, effective treatment for some patients can be as simple as two pills taken just once a day. Unfortunately, misperceptions about therapy still persist and educational resources like ChangeofHAART.com can help address this problem." (Advocate.com)