RESEARCH FUNDING BODY CONFIRMS THAT SAFER CONSUMPTION STUDY IS ONGOING

Research study funded through March 31, 2011

TORONTO, Oct. 6 /CNW/ - The Ontario HIV Treatment Network responded to Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien's comments regarding the status of the Safer Consumption Study. Dr. Sean B. Rourke, OHTN Scientific and Executive Director, confirmed that the provincial government is not holding up the release of study results on the potential impact of safer consumption sites in Toronto and Ottawa. The study is currently underway and scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2011.

In 2008, Dr. Ahmed Bayoumi of the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, in Toronto was awarded funding by the OHTN for a study entitled, "Safe Consumption Sites: Potential Impact and Cost-Effectiveness in Toronto and Ottawa." This grant was subject to peer-review by a panel of internationally renowned experts in HIV research. The panel independently reviewed and recommended that the OHTN fund the study.

"Dr. Bayoumi and his colleagues have met all of their obligations under their funding agreement with us. The project is ongoing and on schedule," said Dr. Rourke. "They are world class researchers who are committed to ensuring their research results have the greatest impact. They have provided us with a detailed plan for constructively engaging the local community and key stakeholders, including Medical Officers of Health and Chiefs of Police in Toronto and Ottawa, on this complex health issue."

About the Ontario HIV Treatment Network

The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (www.ohtn.on.ca) is a non-profit, collaborative network of people with HIV, community-based agencies, health care providers, policy makers, educators and researchers in Ontario. The OHTN supports and conducts high quality research to help end the HIV epidemic, and shares the best available evidence with all those who can put that knowledge into action. The OHTN is the leading funder of HIV research in Ontario.

For further information: Glenn Betteridge, Manager of Knowledge Translation & Exchange, Telephone: [phone] x2212, Email: [email protected], Website: www.ohtn.on.ca