Saquinavir -- New Lottery

Hoffmann-La Roche announced on September 18 that it will have additional supplies of the protease inhibitor saquinavir (trade name, Invirase(TM)), and will conduct a second lottery for expanded access to the drug, which is in short supply.

All persons who registered for the first lottery but did not receive the drug are already registered for the new lottery; they do not need to re-register. New persons who no longer benefit from existing antiretroviral therapy and want to register can learn the specifics of the program by calling 800/332-2144, starting October 2; physicians can call this number to obtain screening forms and study registration materials. In order to be accepted into the second lottery, the required forms must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern time on November 3; note that one's physician must be involved, and an appointment before the deadline will probably be required.