Unapproved Treatments

Delays in Federal new-drug approval have become so serious that "over 70 percent of the drugs eventually approved for use in this country are on the market elsewhere long before Americans can buy them," according to California Attorney General John Van De Kamp, speaking to the Harvey Milk Democratic Club in San Francisco, May 21 1987.
Even this figure understates the case, because many important drugs never even get submitted for U.S. approval
because their manufacturers choose to give up the U.S. market rather than face the delay, difficulty, and expense required. U.S. citizens can never buy these drugs, and they don't count in the 70 percent figure above.
The much-publicized new FDA rules, intended to liberalize access to drugs urgently needed for life-threatening
conditions, have so far had no effect on any drug. Last we heard, not even a single application has been filed under these rules.
Most unapproved drugs cost very little--for at least two reasons. First, the treatment underground must usually stay
away from brand-new, high-tech medicines--the ones which are most difficult, dangerous, and expensive. And second,
pharmaceutical companies have not yet jacked up the price to what Americans or their insurance will bear.
The first and most important step toward increasing your medical options is to get involved with a treatment-oriented
support or affinity group--or start one. Such groups may be even more important for sharing information, referrals to
physicians, etc. than for obtaining treatments themselves. They can empower the community to take care of itself when the government and the medical system fail to do their job.
For information on forming AIDS/ARC/HIV-positive affinity groups, you can call Gary Babcock in Berkeley, CA, (415) 549- 9137, evenings before 9:30 PM.
In San Francisco, an excellent resource for learning about treatments is the Healing Alternatives Buyers Club (HABC),
which now meets Tuesday at 7:30 PM at the Metropolitan Community Church, 150 Eureka St., San Francisco (rear lounge room, main floor). At this time the HABC is most interested in egg lecithin lipids (related to AL 721), and aloe vera juice (related to Carrisyn). The group needs volunteers to help organize projects, for example laboratory testing of commercial products for consumer education and protection. Before attending, you might check their announcement tape at (415) 861-3056.