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How about bringing the cure out of the closet? The stat of 50k new cases every year for a decade is lame and corrupt statistics from the CDC. I DONT BELIEVE IT. As a LTS of 25+ years I call foul. Time is up.
You can't promote a drug that enables unprotected sex for some, pretend those people will still use condoms as a mitzvah, then ignore the likelihood that community behavior will change with those people. You know full well condom use will (and has been shown to) decrease with PrEP. This is two-tier sexual health, and it reeks of commercialism, classism and disregard for the public good.
"we would have embraced a pill...in the...â??90s?" Let's not forget that we did, have "a pill in the 90s". We discounted nPeP, for many of the same concerns that have been expressed about PrEP. It appears this was the right choice, as nPeP does not appear to put a dent in the incidence of new HIV infections. I suspect this was possible because PeP wasn't a single drug about to fall off patent, and it did not have the potential to be a cash cow for groups like the Gay Men's Wealthcare Company.
"So rather than keeping PrEP & PEP tightly-guarded secrets...our political, faith-based and entertainment leaders should be maximizing every opportunity to tear this closet door off its hinges and promote the proper use of PrEP and PEP." Perhaps you are confused as to what a "closet" is. A closet is NOT every mainstream news organization in the country promoting this drug, to the neglect of every other HIV issue that exists. It is NOT disregarding a cure as a secondary option.
This from an organization that makes its positive clients use the back door. What about the emergence of HCV in HIV+ gay men, a group that still needs condoms? What about disenfranchised and rural people, who are essentially forsaken by this option? No Mr. Louie, I do not think that it is "skepticism" that has held PrEP back. At 60 news articles a month, I'd argue the nonstop marketing of this drug is unmatched. It is common sense, economy, lack of utility and basic human decency.
As a 25 year survivor,I'm ready to stop all drugs and let nature take its course. Many in rural communities feel the same. We don't count nor are we counted. In my 25 years I've volunteered for many drug studies. I am now undectable, my retirement money is gone and time to exit this ponzi scheme. I got nothing! While drug reps take their vacations in Costa Rica and Hawaii, I struggle to even eat. Come on! Screw this. Now we have a prophylaxis for getting the virus which only the rich can afford?
Amen.
jeton ademaj
the comments here are mirrors of the out-to-lunch, selfish philosophy that our community has hurled at PrEP for quite a few years. THAT is why the last year has seen a flurry of articles. thank many organizations, including especially ACT UP New York. WE came to understand that OUR community needed to take ownership of 50,000 new HIV infections a year, for every year since the early 90's. let the commentators know this clearly...their collective philosophy is a FAILURE OF GENOCIDAL PROPORTIONS.
January 31, 2015 • new york