Latest news with #HIVAids
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Prince Harry should follow Diana's example and use his power for good
There's a well-known adage that to create a booming business you should surround yourself with people smarter than you are. The same could be said of a successful royal – it ain't for nothing that the House of Windsor is known as The Firm. What a shame nobody told Prince Harry. And if they did – and they most certainly did – he elected not to believe them. Or to take on board the fusty (which is to say tried, tested and never found wanting by Her Late Great Majesty his grandmother) motto 'never complain, never explain'. But that's Harry all over, bless his tousled impetuosity, as we used to say until he stopped being a naughty, freckled lad and segued into a peevish 40-year-old with a grievance fixation aka an unattractive tendency to publicly blame everyone but himself for whatever happens. This time round, it's the crisis at Sentebale, the charity he founded alongside Prince Seeiso, ruler of Lesotho, in 2006 to help young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those living with HIV and Aids. It was born from a deeply emotional 2004 visit to landlocked Lesotho, where a quarter of the population is HIV-positive, when he was 19. The name Sentebale means 'forget-me-not' and was chosen as a tribute to his late mother, Diana. He was genuinely moved and wholly dedicated, returning to the country many times, highlighting the plight of a generation and attracting wealthy donors with an annual polo cup that has raised more than $13m (almost £10m). When he left royal life, he took Sentebale with him, gifting it his 50 per cent share of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and $1.5m of the proceeds of his memoir, Spare. Along with the Invictus Games it is – was – his greatest legacy. Yet in March, after an internal squabble, he chose to walk away from it. Not in dignified silence but denigrating it as he did so. If ever he needed a wiser head to advise and guide him, it was then. But Harry, a brave Apache helicopter pilot who completed two operational tours in Afghanistan, is not a man to hold back and see how things pan out. An asset in the theatre of conflict, not so much in real life. The Charity Commission has just published the sober conclusions of its investigation into the organisation in which Harry's behaviour is criticised. But instead of taking it on the chin, he has immediately hit out at the findings. Of course he has. The roots of the Sentebale split lie in a really rather banal-sounding attempt by trustees to introduce a new fundraising strategy in 2023, the year Sophie Chandauka became chairman of the board. This led to a dispute and when a number of trustees resigned in protest, Harry and Seeiso stepped down as its patrons in support. By then, the atmosphere had soured to the point where Chandauka started levelling accusations of bullying, misogyny and misogynoir, that is prejudice against black women. Ouch. If that particular response to adversity sounds familiar, close to home even, I couldn't possibly comment because I haven't the time or indeed the moolah to see Harry in court. Anyway, Harry and his co-founder issued a statement describing their decision as 'devastating' and adding they could see 'no other path forward as the result of our loss in trust and confidence in the chair of the board'. She in turn went on television to accuse Harry of being involved in a cover-up of the bullying claims and describe him as a 'toxic' brand whose move to the US had impacted the charity negatively and seen a drop in donors. Yikes. Sticks and stones may break bones and all that, but allegations about Megxit are a red rag to a particularly bull-headed duke who will not countenance criticism on that front. I could speculate as to why he's quite so thin-skinned about it but given his litigiousness, again, I couldn't possibly… Towards the end of their working relationship, it was reported that Harry sent an 'unpleasant and imperious' message to Chandauka after she declined to issue a public statement defending Meghan following a mishap at a Sentebale event. Chandauka responded that she had refused because the charity 'cannot be an extension of the Sussexes'. Lord only knows how he took that reproof. As it is, the Charity Commission found no evidence of systemic bullying, misogynoir et al by Harry or anyone else. But it did criticise all parties, Harry included, for (and I paraphrase) ignobly scrapping in public, being too damn stubborn to resolve the issues and generally undermining not just the reputation of Sentebale but public trust in charities with their miserable display of personal animus and snarky back-biting. Or, as David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said, rather less colourfully: 'Passion for a cause is the bedrock of volunteering and charity, delivering positive impact for millions of people here at home and abroad every day. 'However, in the rare cases when things go wrong, it is often because that very passion has become a weakness rather than a strength.' That Chandauka remains in post is highly significant. Harry is said to be 'utterly devastated' by what's happened but I wonder will he grasp that being boss of a charity is actually much harder than he thinks? Sure, he can lead with heart, purpose and commitment to making a lasting impact. Especially on the polo field. He can also charm when he wants to. But a good chief executive needs to understand budgets and cash flow, know their way around a financial report and demonstrate all-round financial literacy. Accountability is another biggie which is self-evidently not Harry's strong suit. Nor am I convinced he's au fait with all the legal and regulatory responsibilities either, but I could be wrong. As a patron he was perfect; glad-handing the wealthy, showing compassion, caring. In all her charity work, Diana knew how to use her unique power for good. She never overstepped the mark or became the story. Harry would do well to remember he is at his shining best when he is being his mother's son.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Prince Harry attacks his former charity for invoking memory of Diana
The chairman of the Duke of Sussex's former charity has been accused of acting in the 'poorest possible taste' over a reference to his late mother. Sophie Chandauka vowed to honour the founding mission of the charity Sentebale in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, after the Charity Commission ruled on Wednesday she could stay in post following a clash which forced the Duke and other trustees to resign. Allies of Prince Harry, who co-founded Sentebale in 2006, condemned her actions, saying his 'life's work' had been destroyed by her 'hostile takeover' of the charity, which they said had been her intention from the start. The Charity Commission issued a report on Wednesday into events at Sentebale, whose mission is to help children with HIV/Aids in Lesotho and Botswana. The Duke and other trustees, including co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, resigned en masse in March after accusing Ms Chandauka of mismanagement and calling on her to step down. She then claimed to have been a victim of bullying, harassment and misogynoir – discrimination against black women. On Wednesday, she said that the public spat had caused 'incalculable damage' to the charity and laid the blame on 'the unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned'.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
11-07-2025
- Health
- First Post
Major cancer drugs could become cheaper as India considers import duty waiver
The documents show that blockbuster cancer drugs like pembrolizumab (brand Keytruda), osimertinib (brand Tagrisso), and trastuzumab deruxtecan (brand Enhertu), used to treat lung and breast cancer, will be fully exempted from customs duty read more India will likely slash the prices of medicines used to treat critical conditions like HIV Aids and cancer as a government panel has recommended waiving off some customs duties on high-impact drugs. News18 has accessed a document of the proposed cuts in prices that are expected to provide relief to patients with cancer and other chronic diseases. The central government has constituted an interdepartmental committee that has suggested customs duty exemptions and concessions for high-impact medical imports. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Established in August 2024 by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the panel is headed by Joint Drug Controller R. Chandrashekar and includes representatives from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Pharmaceuticals, and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Its goal is to make life-saving treatments, such as those for cancer, rare diseases, organ transplants, and advanced diagnostics, much more affordable for Indian patients. More from Health US faces worst measles outbreak in decades amid falling vaccination rates under Trump Which drugs will get cheaper? The documents show that blockbuster cancer drugs like pembrolizumab (brand Keytruda), osimertinib (brand Tagrisso), and trastuzumab deruxtecan (brand Enhertu), used to treat lung and breast cancer, will be fully exempted from customs duty. These medicines often cost up to lakhs per dose and have remained inaccessible to patients due to the high import burden. Apart from cancer drugs, the committee has also proposed making several other medicines cheaper, including transplant drugs, critical care medicines, and advanced diagnostic kits that are slapped with heavy import duties and have no equivalent in the Indian market. A second category of essential but widely available drugs has been proposed for a reduced import duty of 5 per cent. This list includes hydroxyurea, used to treat cancer and sickle cell anaemia, and low molecular weight heparin, marketed as Enoxaparin, which is commonly used to prevent and treat blood clots and deep vein thrombosis. Therapies also included Along with life-saving drugs, the document also mentions price cuts for medical therapies to treat rare diseases. Customs duty exemptions might be applied on a group of therapies used to treat conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, lysosomal storage disorders, and hereditary enzyme deficiencies. Many of these therapies, such as gene-based and enzyme replacement treatments, rank among the most expensive drugs globally, with single courses costing several crores. Notable rare disease drugs on the list include Zolgensma, Spinraza, Evrysdi, Cerezyme, and Takhzyro. These medications are extremely costly and largely beyond the reach of most Indian patients. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Star
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
New HIV drug hailed, but can SA afford it?
There is widespread hope for curbing HIV after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an injectable drug for HIV prevention recently. Lenacapavir needs to be injected just twice a year. Lenacapavir is a medication used to treat and prevent HIV infection. It functions as a capsid inhibitor, meaning it blocks the protein shell (capsid) that HIV requires to replicate. Lenacapavir is available in both oral tablet form and as subcutaneous injections. It is available as oral tablets and subcutaneous injections, with the injections given every six months after an initial oral and injection phase. The drug comes as relief as it could help overcome barriers such as having to take pills daily, frequent clinic visits and the stigma associated with HIV prevention. Clinical trials, conducted in South Africa and Uganda, have demonstrated its 100% efficacy in preventing HIV transmission when administered every six months. This injectable offers a potential alternative for individuals who may not adhere to daily oral PrEP medication. More than 5 000 participants were involved in the research, according to the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine. South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV globally, with an estimated 8.2 million individuals, or 13.7% of the population, according to recent estimates. Lenacapavir will come as good news for many people seeking protection from HIV, but they often feel depressed and forget to take their medication daily. A study done by the Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine pointed out several barriers and one facilitator of adolescents' ART, with adherence as one of them. The identified barriers to adherence included factors related to school, social situations, health services, treatment, and the individual patient. Factors related to the school environment, such as commitment to schoolwork, communication with teachers, and negative attitudes from teachers, have been found to discourage access to clinics, disclosure of health status, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Participants frequently expressed feeling torn between their school responsibilities and the need to attend clinic appointments. Although there was a school located near the clinic, many participants opted to attend a different school. ''It would be nice for us to come at our own time so that we do not have to miss our schoolwork. That way, we can balance our lives. Your school work doesn't suffer because of the clinic appointments, and vice versa,'' said a group of males, aged 18. While the new drug is generally hailed in the fight against HIV Aids, there could be a stumbling block: the cost. Although the drug manufacturer Gilead The company has not yet made the price of the drug public, it is estimated that it is likely to be on par with current preventive medications at about $25,000 (£18,400) a year. As a treatment for people already living with HIV, it costs about $39 000 (nearly R700 000) annually. Research from the University of Liverpool and other institutions suggests it could be produced for only $25 (£18.40) a year, including a 30% profit margin. Speaking on Newsroom Afrika recently, Sibongile Tshabalala from Treatment Action Campaign said it could take longer for Lenacapavir to be available due to cost and patent laws. She said that the one jab could cost R500 000. Two injections are needed annually. ''You need to be a millionaire to afford the injection. It's very expensive. And also our government won't be able to buy (it) for us. The projections are showing that we will get this (injection) by around 2035; ten years from now, while the research was done in South Africa and while the breakthrough was found in South Africa.'' But there's renewed hope. According to AFP, lower-income countries could gain access to a 'game-changing' HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the health financing group said this week. While details of the deal regarding the cost are not publicly known, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi hailed the drug: 'This is a game changer for South Africa.' Statistics show that Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 67 percent of global HIV cases. Tshabalala urged governments of the region to get together and start companies to manufacture vaccines for the benefit of their people But there's renewed hope. Lower-income countries could gain access to a 'game-changing' HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the health financing group said this week.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
New HIV drug hailed, but can SA afford it?
Lenacapavir is available in both oral tablet form and as subcutaneous injections. It is available as oral tablets and subcutaneous injections, with the injections given every six months after an initial oral and injection phase. There is widespread hope for curbing HIV after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an injectable drug for HIV prevention recently. Lenacapavir needs to be injected just twice a year. Lenacapavir is a medication used to treat and prevent HIV infection. It functions as a capsid inhibitor, meaning it blocks the protein shell (capsid) that HIV requires to replicate. Lenacapavir is available in both oral tablet form and as subcutaneous injections. It is available as oral tablets and subcutaneous injections, with the injections given every six months after an initial oral and injection phase. The drug comes as relief as it could help overcome barriers such as having to take pills daily, frequent clinic visits and the stigma associated with HIV prevention. Clinical trials, conducted in South Africa and Uganda, have demonstrated its 100% efficacy in preventing HIV transmission when administered every six months. This injectable offers a potential alternative for individuals who may not adhere to daily oral PrEP medication. More than 5 000 participants were involved in the research, according to the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine. South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV globally, with an estimated 8.2 million individuals, or 13.7% of the population, according to recent estimates. Lenacapavir will come as good news for many people seeking protection from HIV, but they often feel depressed and forget to take their medication daily. A study done by the Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine pointed out several barriers and one facilitator of adolescents' ART, with adherence as one of them. The identified barriers to adherence included factors related to school, social situations, health services, treatment, and the individual patient. Factors related to the school environment, such as commitment to schoolwork, communication with teachers, and negative attitudes from teachers, have been found to discourage access to clinics, disclosure of health status, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Participants frequently expressed feeling torn between their school responsibilities and the need to attend clinic appointments. Although there was a school located near the clinic, many participants opted to attend a different school. ''It would be nice for us to come at our own time so that we do not have to miss our schoolwork. That way, we can balance our lives. Your school work doesn't suffer because of the clinic appointments, and vice versa,'' said a group of males, aged 18. While the new drug is generally hailed in the fight against HIV Aids, there could be a stumbling block: the cost. Although the drug manufacturer Gilead The company has not yet made the price of the drug public, it is estimated that it is likely to be on par with current preventive medications at about $25,000 (£18,400) a year. As a treatment for people already living with HIV, it costs about $39 000 (nearly R700 000) annually. Research from the University of Liverpool and other institutions suggests it could be produced for only $25 (£18.40) a year, including a 30% profit margin. Speaking on Newsroom Afrika recently, Sibongile Tshabalala from Treatment Action Campaign said it could take longer for Lenacapavir to be available due to cost and patent laws. She said that the one jab could cost R500 000. Two injections are needed annually. ''You need to be a millionaire to afford the injection. It's very expensive. And also our government won't be able to buy (it) for us. The projections are showing that we will get this (injection) by around 2035; ten years from now, while the research was done in South Africa and while the breakthrough was found in South Africa.'' But there's renewed hope. According to AFP, lower-income countries could gain access to a 'game-changing' HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the health financing group said this week. While details of the deal regarding the cost are not publicly known, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi hailed the drug: 'This is a game changer for South Africa.' Statistics show that Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 67 percent of global HIV cases. Tshabalala urged governments of the region to get together and start companies to manufacture vaccines for the benefit of their people But there's renewed hope. Lower-income countries could gain access to a 'game-changing' HIV prevention drug with a new deal signed between US pharmaceutical giant Gilead and the Global Fund, the health financing group said this week.
