Gilead's twice-a-year HIV prevention shot wins regulatory approval in US
That makes it a convenient new way to ward off infection in a wide range of people.
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RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 18 August
Photo: Tonga Fisheries Ministry The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has received a payment of US$60 million for 2024, under its Economic Assistance Agreement with the US government. It is a part of a commitment made in a treaty signed by the Pacific nations and the US in 1988, to govern fishing in exclusive economic zones. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Pacific Islands Ambassadors and Representatives based in Washington to confirm the payment and reaffirm the US Government's ongoing support for the economic deal. Organisers say November's United Nations climate summit, COP30, will take place in the Amazon city of Belém as planned, despite concerns about affordable accommodation. Climate News reported the 11-member COP bureau, which advises the COP presidency, asked in late July whether steps had been taken to identify an alternative location for COP30 if the accommodation crunch does not improve. The presidency said there will be no alternate location. Seventy-two governments classified as 'least developed countries' and 'small island developing states' have been offered 15 individual rooms each priced at US$100-200 a night. All other governments will be offered ten rooms each for prices ranging from US$200 to $600 a night. These rooms "are not intended to accommodate" countries' leaders with other arrangements to be made for them and their entourages. The leaders' summit will be held before the main COP negotiations and accompanying side events start. Fiji's acting medical superintendent Dr. Kiran Gaikwad says there is a need for a dedicated drug rehabilitation centre, to stem the spread of infections and provide appropriate long-term care. He was speaking after a teenager was admitted to St Giles Psychiatric Hospital with HIV linked to drug use. Labasa Hospital's acting medical superintendent, Dr. Mikaele Mua said they are seeing a lot of HIV cases but there are likely more without symptoms. The government said it has committed funding for the construction and operation of a Child Wellbeing Centre, providing a safe space and support for vulnerable children. Guam's attorney general is seeking to ramp up his deportation plan. The Pacific Island Times reported Douglas Moylan saying 101 convicted aliens have been deported from Guam since 2023, with a dozen more in the system under pending process. In a letter to the assistant special agent in charge, Moylan proposed to have investigators at the Office of the Attorney General "sworn in as ICE agents", authorizing them to arrest those set for deportation. Moylan said he is seeking to collaborate with the federal agency "to effectively and efficiently deport as many criminal aliens as possible," saying repeat offenders often get released "only to reoffend and create more victims". Catholic bishops gathered in Paga Pago earlier this month for a week of prayer and reflection. Archbishop Gábor Pintér, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) gave a speech at the gathering. He said the "very core" of CEPAC's vision is a "deep desire to be a Church that is authentically 'of the Pacific'". Vatican News reportedhe archbishop suggested a number of areas for the church in the region to focus on, including care for the oceans, synodality, formation for mission, social activism, and empowerment of women and young people. A New Zealand Defence Force has finished the a high explosive live fire training activity with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Gunners from the New Zealand Army's 16th Field Regiment led a mortar training course. Colonel Mike van Welie said the exercise included 110 personnel from both countries. The NZDF said NZ Army soldiers also gained valuable training, with the PNG Defence Force sharing their expertise in challenging close-combat jungle conditions.
Otago Daily Times
07-08-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Medical researcher up for award
The researcher behind a slow-release ketamine tablet, developed to treat people with treatment-resistant depression, has been named a finalist in the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards. University of Otago Hazel Buckland chair in psychological medicine Prof Paul Glue is up for the BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award for his pioneering research. The awards honour those who bridge the gap between research and business, transforming scientific discoveries into real-world solutions that create lasting benefit for New Zealanders. "I'm absolutely blown away by this," Prof Glue said. "Since this project started, it's taken on a whole new life of its own." For nearly a decade, he has been working on the medication, which is now about to undergo Food and Drug Administration approval, with the aim of getting it on the market within the next three years. He said the new medication was working well for patients and almost everyone who took it during trials decided they wanted to stay on it. While he was delighted to be named a finalist in the awards, Prof Glue said the biggest reward was that it was changing people's lives. "The contrast between what their pattern of illness was like before, versus being on this drug and basically being well, has been striking — life-changing for them." Most people who have treatment-resistant depression are destined to be stuck at home, unable to work, continually dealing with relationship problems — a place far from a normal life, he said. "The stats show that about one in five women, and one in 10 men in New Zealand will have an episode of depression, and about a third of the patients won't respond to conventional treatments. "They're functionally impaired. It's a big population, and at the moment, we as a health system do not have an effective line of treatment for this big population." Doctors usually used the anaesthetic drug as an effective means of sedation and pain relief, but ketamine was also given to patients with treatment-resistant depression, via injection or nasal spray. Unfortunately, it had major side effects in this form, he said. "It can make patients feel very spaced out, very sleepy. They can't walk for about half an hour. "That's why you have to have it in a clinic. "It's quite a burden on resources for patients and the health system." However, Prof Glue's slow-release ketamine tablets were absorbed by the body over about 10 hours and had few side effects. Because of that, it reduced the risk of abuse by drug users. It meant the tablets could be picked up from a pharmacy on prescription, potentially making treatment a much cheaper and more convenient option, compared with weekly clinic visits for ketamine injections or nasal sprays, he said. KiwiNet chief executive Dr James Hutchinson said the finalists represented the "cutting edge of innovation", turning world-class science into high-value, high-growth ventures with real impact for New Zealand. "From pioneering medical treatments to clean tech, sustainable food production and space innovation, they show how science can tackle real-world challenges — growing our economy, boosting productivity, and doing good in our communities." The winners of the KiwiNet Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Auckland on October 22.
Scoop
03-08-2025
- Scoop
Prevention Revolution And Policy Harmonisation Are Critical To End AIDS
SHOBHA SHUKLA – CNS Despite having science-based tools for HIV combination prevention, there were 1.3 million people who A collage of people with text AI-generated content may be newly diagnosed with HIV in 2023 - and also in 2024 - hardly any decline between the two years. Despite having science-backed lifesaving antiretroviral therapy to help every person living with HIV healthy and well (and virally suppressed - which also ensures there is zero risk of HIV transmission because treatment works as prevention), 630,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2023 - and also in 2024 - hardly any decline between the two years. We clearly need a prevention revolution to drastically bring down new HIV infections as well as a lot more needs to be done to reduce AIDS-related deaths. 'Business as usual' is clearly not an option. In sub-Saharan Africa, one in four (~25%) of new HIV infections occur among key populations, but in Asia Pacific region, four in five (79%) of new HIV infections occur among key populations (such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, persons who inject drugs, among others). In 2024 alone, there were an estimated 800,000 new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa, and women and girls accounted for 63% of them. Adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 are more than twice as likely to acquire HIV as their male peers. These numbers remind us that HIV remains a public health crisis. But HIV is not just a medical or health issue—it is deeply intertwined with social, economic, and legal factors. To truly end HIV as a public health threat, we must look beyond the virus itself and address the broader context in which it thrives," said Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, Legal Representative and Head of Strategic Litigation and Research, OurEquity, South Africa; member of Johannesburg Society of Advocates. "Sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ) is about more than access to contraception or maternal care. It is about the right of every individual to make informed decisions about their bodies, free from violence, coercion, or discrimination. When people - especially women and girls - are denied these rights, they become more vulnerable to HIV and other health risks. For example, only 40% of young women in sub-Saharan Africa have comprehensive knowledge about HIV prevention. In some countries, less than 50% of women have access to modern contraception. Gender-based violence remains alarmingly prevalent: in South Africa, a woman is killed every three hours, and one in three women has experienced intimate partner violence," said Letlhognolo. Letlhogonolo was speaking in SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights) session co-hosted by Global Center for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025), Family Planning News Network (FPNN), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and CNS. Survivors of violence are at a 50% higher risk of acquiring HIV "Criminalisation of same-sex relationships and sex work drives key populations underground, away from essential health services. In 31 African countries, same-sex relationships are still criminalised, making it difficult for LGBTQIA+ individuals to access HIV prevention and care. Sex workers, who are 13 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population, often face harassment and violence, further increasing their vulnerability. Justice is central to this conversation. Laws and policies that discriminate against people living with HIV, LGBTQIA+ individuals, sex workers, and other marginalised groups, not only violate human rights but also fuel the epidemic," said Letlhogonolo. "For example, in Nigeria, the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act has led to a 41% decrease in access to HIV services among men who have sex with men. Justice means ensuring that everyone—regardless of who they are or whom they love—can access the information, services, and support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives," added Letlhogonolo. If HIV funding is not fully restored, new infections and AIDS deaths can increase alarmingly "Recent global funding cuts could send the world back to levels of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths not seen since the early 2000s. Next 5-years projection show that new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths globally can dangerously rise if the lost funding (both this year and in recent years) does not return. Many countries have reduced their investments and domestic funding is often inadequate to fully fund the AIDS response – which has been relying on external support," said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia Pacific, and Central Asia and Eastern Europe. 'Nine countries in Asia and the Pacific region have rising new HIV infection rates. 9 countries in the region have too low coverage of lifesaving antiretroviral treatments. Moreover, the region has been hit with funding crisis – and – overall HIV prevention crisis too. Between 2010 to 2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which reported an increase in newly diagnosed people with HIV. Fiji has the world's fastest growing epidemic, new HIV infections increased by over 3091% in Fiji,' said Murphy. 'Along with Fiji, other countries in Asia Pacific where there was an upswing in the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV between 2010-2024 are: 562% rise in Philippines; 187% rise in Afghanistan; 84% rise in Papua New Guinea; 67% rise in Bhutan; 48% rise in Sri Lanka; 42% rise in Timor-Leste; 33% rise in Bangladesh; and 16% rise in Lao PDR. Between 2010-2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which are also treating less than half of the people living with HIV, such as Afghanistan (11%), Pakistan (16%), Fiji (24%), Philippines (40%), Bangladesh (41%), Indonesia (41%), Mongolia (41%), PNG (46%), and Maldives (48%),' said Murphy of UNAIDS. Between 2010-2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which are also treating less than half of the people living with HIV, such as Afghanistan (11%), Pakistan (16%), Fiji (24%), Philippines (40%), Bangladesh (41%), Indonesia (41%), Mongolia (41%), PNG (46%), and Maldives (48%). 'Compared to the decline in the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV between 2010-2024 worldwide (40%), the decline in Asia Pacific is far behind (17%),' said Eamonn of UNAIDS. In Eastern and Southern Africa, new HIV infections declined by 57% during the same period. Pam Ntshekula calls for rights and safety of sex workers "Our mission is clear: sex workers deserve dignity, protection, and full recognition of their human rights. We are calling for the full decriminalisation of sex work because sex workers deserve to work in safe, free, and dignified spaces. Right now, criminalisation puts sex workers at risk - it makes them more vulnerable to violence, police abuse, stigma, and poor health access. Decriminalisation would mean sex workers can report crimes without fear, access healthcare without judgment, and work without hiding. It is not just a legal issue —it is about human rights, health, and safety. Every sex worker deserves to be protected, respected, and free to choose how they live and work," said Pam Ntshekula is a dedicated advocate for the rights and safety of sex workers and Lobbyist Officer, Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), South Africa. "Many sex workers avoid clinics due to stigma and mistreatment. Full decriminalisation ensures safe, respectful access to SRHR services. Criminalisation limits condom use, outreach, and health education. Decriminalisation creates safer environments for prevention and care. Constant fear of arrest, violence, and shame harms mental wellness. SDG3 includes mental health - sex workers deserve safety and peace of mind," Pam added. "Sex workers face high levels of rape, assault, and abuse - often from police or clients. Decriminalisation allows them to report violence and access justice. Gender equality means protecting all genders and identities. My message is: There is no health without rights. There is no equality without decriminalisation. Decriminalising sex work is the single most powerful move to remove legal barriers to health access, justice, and human dignity. It also lets peer educators and health organisations do their work without fear," said Pam. "We also need to tackle poverty and unemployment by linking sex workers to job training, housing support, and social grants if they choose to exit. Empowerment means choices, not pressure." SDG goals and targets are not standalone but interconnected "Each of SDG goals and targets are interconnected. For example, studies show that countries with higher gender equality have lower rates of HIV infection among women. In Botswana, legal reforms to protect women's property rights have led to increased economic independence and better health outcomes. We cannot achieve health without justice. We cannot achieve justice without upholding rights. And we cannot uphold rights without addressing the root causes of inequality and exclusion," said Letlhogonolo. "It means we must break down silos. HIV programmes cannot operate in isolation from broader sexual and reproductive health services. Legal reforms must go hand in hand with public health initiatives. We must listen to and empower those most affected—young people, women, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with HIV—to lead the way," they added. "It means investing in education, not just about HIV, but about consent, healthy relationships, and bodily autonomy. In Uganda, the DREAMS initiative, which combines HIV prevention with education and economic empowerment for adolescent girls, has reduced new HIV infections among participants by 25%. Supporting community-based organisations is crucial: in Kenya, peer-led outreach among sex workers has doubled the uptake of HIV testing and treatment. It means holding governments accountable for their commitments to human rights and the SDGs," stressed Letlhogonolo. "In 2023, out of 54 African countries, only 16 African countries had fully funded their national HIV responses. We must advocate for increased domestic investment and international solidarity. And it means recognising that justice is not just a legal concept—it is a lived reality. When a young woman can access contraception without fear, when a gay man can seek HIV testing without shame, when a sex worker can report violence without risking arrest, we are moving closer to justice," rightly said Letlhogonolo. "Essential health services must include sexual and reproductive health services - including safe abortion and post-abortion care, menstrual health hygiene, and mental health services, with particular attention to women, adolescent girls, persons with disability, indigenous peoples, gender diverse communities, older people, young people, migrant workers, refugees, people living with HIV, sex workers, people who use drugs, among others. They must also include all health and social support services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence," said Shobha Shukla, Lead Discussant for SDG-3 at the United Nations High Level Political Forum 2025 (HLPF 2025) in New York. "We have to ensure that health responses are people-centred, gender transformative and rights-based for all, without any condition or exclusion." She rightly called upon the government leaders who had assembled at the UN: "With less than 5 and a half years left to deliver on SDG3, we appeal to governments to step up their actions on gender equality and right to health - where no one is left behind." Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is a feminist, health and development justice advocate, and an award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service). She was also the Lead Discussant for SDG-3 at United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025). She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College; current President of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media); Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024); and coordinator of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights). Follow her on Twitter/X @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
