The Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) Welcomes Québec's l'institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS)'s Approval of COMPLERA

TORONTO, June 8, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) welcomes Thursday's news from Quebec's l'institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) that it has approved Complera for use with people living with HIV who haven't previously been on treatment.  Additionally, INESSS approved a 200 mg dose pill for Intelence to replace the 2 100 mg pills previously used when prescribing, thus, like the decision for Complera, also taking action that reduces pill burden.

Both of these decisions improve the number of treatments available for people living with HIV.  HIV antiretroviral medication makes it possible for many people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives, but people must conscientiously adhere to their HIV medications in order for them to be effective.  "Taking many different pills a number of times a day for the rest of your life can be really challenging for people living with HIV - and anyone, really," says Alex McClelland, Chair of CTAC's Board of Directors.  "Medications like Complera, taken once daily, can be really useful for people to help them take charge of their health."

"Once daily treatments may not be the right thing for everyone," says Akim Adé Larcher, CTAC's Executive Director, "however, they're an option that's really shown results by helping a lot of people take control of their HIV treatment.  CTAC supports the availability of all HIV treatments that have been demonstrated to be safe and effective so that people living with HIV can work with their doctors to determine the treatment that's best for them."

Earlier this year, CTAC presented a patient submission in support of Complera's approval for use in Ontario's Public Drug Programs, and urges all provincial formularies to immediately approve Complera for use with people living with HIV.

The Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) is a national, non-governmental organization run by and for people living with HIV and viral Hepatitis co-infection.  We work to enable access to treatment, care and support by building partnerships with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Akim Adé Larcher
Executive Director
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]