FOSCARNET INFORMATION NUMBERS

Many people with CMV retinitis are interested in the experimental treatment foscarnet, some because they did not obtain an effective response from the approved treatment, ganciclovir (DHPG), and others because they want to avoid the side effects of ganciclovir as well as make use of foscarnet's possible anti-HIV activity. In June, issue #80 of AIDS TREATMENT NEWS printed the number of an ACT UP foscarnet organizing committee in San Francisco. The activists on this committee have done an excellent job of maintaining pressure on the Food and Drug Administration and the manufacturer of foscarnet, Astra, to develop wider access to the drug. The current alternatives for many people are to stay on ganciclovir but give up the option to use AZT because of the unacceptable combined bone marrow suppression, or to give up ganciclovir in order to stay on AZT. The first choice is life-threatening and the second one guarantees irreversible blindness. (For more background information, see AIDS TREATMENT NEWS #71 and #77.)

Thanks to the efforts of activist Terry Sutton who died in April, more people who want to try foscarnet may be eligible for a "salvage" trial, and should call Astra's hotline number: 800/225-6333. This number may be useful for other questions regarding foscarnet as well. But the organizing committee still maintains a phone line to connect with people who are interested in challenging the basic restrictions on foscarnet: 415/431-6088.