Cryptosporidiosis: NTZ Available at Buyers' Club; Customs Holds 2nd Shipment

NTZ (nitazoxanide), an experimental drug which may be the first effective treatment against cryptosporidiosis (which causes severe diarrhea in persons with AIDS) was recently approved in Mexico, and for the first time is now available at a U.S. AIDS buyers' club, the PWA Health Group in New York. An officially approved compassionate access program recently was expanded from 100 to 150 slots. But for weeks many people who desperately needed this drug found it impossible to obtain, no matter how well connected they were. The PWA Health Group recently called people on its long list to buy NTZ, and found that half of them had died.

NTZ is inexpensive to manufacture, and is being studied for treating many parasites in developing countries. In the U.S., it is in phase I trials for cryptosporidiosis.

On June 21 a U.S. Customs office seized half of the PWA Health Group shipment of NTZ. Because such cases happen frequently and are usually resolved fairly rapidly, the PWA Health Group suggests that people contact them concerning how they might help if necessary. The shipment may have already been released by the time you receive this newsletter.

Meanwhile the PWA Health Group has enough NTZ to treat about 50 people. They require a doctor's prescription for this drug. To obtain a fact sheet on NTZ, to order the drug, or to offer to help politically if necessary, contact the PWA Health Group at 212/255-0520.