Latest news with #PeterNewman
Economic Times
25-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Game-changer HIV shot approved in US may enter Canada by 2026; Just two injections a year
Agencies Canada reviews groundbreaking twice-a-year HIV prevention shot after US approval, offering hope but raising concerns over access and cost A twice-a-year injectable drug being hailed as a breakthrough in HIV prevention could be available in Canada as early as mid-2026, offering new hope in the fight against the virus. The drug, lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is the first and only HIV prevention medication that requires just two doses per year. Gilead Canada submitted the drug to Health Canada in April for review, which was accepted earlier this month. Lenacapavir was approved in Canada in 2022 for treatment, but this is the first time it's under review for prevention.'This is absolutely a monumental advance in prevention,' said Peter Newman, a professor at the University of Toronto whose work focuses on HIV prevention. 'It's certainly cost-effective in the long run because you're going to prevent a lot of cases of new HIV.' Lenacapavir works by creating a slow-release 'depot' of medicine under the skin, delivering protection for six months. Clinical trials showed near-total effectiveness: among more than 2,000 high-risk women in Africa, zero new infections were recorded. In another trial among gay and bisexual men and transgender women, only two infections occurred, both in participants who were already HIV-positive before the injection. Gilead's US list price is $28,218 a year, sparking concerns about access and affordability, especially for marginalized groups. 'We could get a lot of interest, but if people can't afford it, it's dead in the water,' O'Byrne in Canada, 54 percent of PrEP prescriptions are paid for by private insurance and 43 percent by public programs, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Gilead says it will work with both public and private payers to 'accelerate availability and access.'If approved, the shot will only be available through healthcare providers, doctors, or nurses. But experts argue it should be expanded to include pharmacists and nurse practitioners, especially to increase access in remote or underserved areas.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Game-changer HIV shot approved in US may enter Canada by 2026; Just two injections a year
A twice-a-year injectable drug being hailed as a breakthrough in HIV prevention could be available in Canada as early as mid-2026, offering new hope in the fight against the virus. The drug, lenacapavir , developed by Gilead Sciences , was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is the first and only HIV prevention medication that requires just two doses per year. Gilead Canada submitted the drug to Health Canada in April for review, which was accepted earlier this month. Lenacapavir was approved in Canada in 2022 for treatment, but this is the first time it's under review for prevention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'This is absolutely a monumental advance in prevention,' said Peter Newman, a professor at the University of Toronto whose work focuses on HIV prevention. 'It's certainly cost-effective in the long run because you're going to prevent a lot of cases of new HIV.' How does it work Live Events Lenacapavir works by creating a slow-release 'depot' of medicine under the skin, delivering protection for six months. Clinical trials showed near-total effectiveness: among more than 2,000 high-risk women in Africa, zero new infections were recorded. In another trial among gay and bisexual men and transgender women, only two infections occurred, both in participants who were already HIV-positive before the injection. Very expensive Gilead's US list price is $28,218 a year, sparking concerns about access and affordability, especially for marginalized groups. 'We could get a lot of interest, but if people can't afford it, it's dead in the water,' O'Byrne said. Currently in Canada, 54 percent of PrEP prescriptions are paid for by private insurance and 43 percent by public programs, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Gilead says it will work with both public and private payers to 'accelerate availability and access.' If approved, the shot will only be available through healthcare providers, doctors, or nurses. But experts argue it should be expanded to include pharmacists and nurse practitioners, especially to increase access in remote or underserved areas.
Global News
24-06-2025
- Health
- Global News
‘Monumental' HIV shot could be coming to Canada. What we know
A twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV being dubbed a 'wonder drug' by some could be coming to Canada as soon as next year, though the company behind it says it could still take some time before the general population could access it. Gilead Canada confirmed to Global News that it had submitted lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use as a new injectable drug to Health Canada in April of this year and it had been accepted by the agency for review this month. It said it anticipates the evaluation of the drug would be complete sometime in mid-2026. Global News has inquired with Health Canada about potential approval time as well as a timeline for the approval process. Canadian health-care experts and advocates for HIV prevention say the Gilead drug is a 'monumental advance.' Story continues below advertisement 'It's absolutely a monumental advance in prevention,' said Peter Newman, a University of Toronto social work professor, whose work includes HIV prevention. 'These kinds of things could really help to get it out there quicker and it's certainly cost-effective in the long run because you're going to prevent a lot of cases of new HIV.' The drug nearly eliminated new infections in two groundbreaking studies of people at high risk, better than the daily preventative pills people can forget to take, prompting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve it in that country last week. Condoms help guard against HIV infection if used properly, but what's called PrEP — regularly using preventive medicines such as the daily pills or a shot given every two months — is increasingly important. Lenacapavir's six-month protection makes it the longest-lasting type, an option that could attract people wary of more frequent doctor visits or stigma from daily pills. Lenacapavir was initially authorized by Health Canada in 2022 both as an injection and tablets for treatment of HIV, but not prevention. 2:02 Doctors, health experts call on Nova Scotia to cover birth control and HIV-prevention drug The injection is given as two doses under the skin of the abdomen, leaving a small 'depot' of medication to slowly absorb into the body. Story continues below advertisement Patrick O'Byrne, a nurse practitioner at the STI clinic in Ottawa, said unlike pills where a dose can be forgotten, injectables are less easy to forget. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's hard to mess it up. You can get your injection and it works,' O'Byrne said. 'The injectables are much more forgiving, so they actually, in the studies, have better preventative outcomes because it's less dependent on people.' People must test negative for HIV before getting their twice-a-year dose, Gilead has warned. Much like oral PrEP, the drug only prevents HIV transmission, not other sexually transmitted diseases. According to Gilead, if approved, the twice-a-year shot must be administered by a health-care practitioner — a physician or a nurse. But some advocates say it should be expanded. 'The shots are only twice a year, which cuts down on patients spending time in a waiting room,' said Sean Hosein, science and medicines editor at the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, known as CATIE, which is funded by federal and provincial grants. 'But I also think another way to make prevention more widely available is to enable a range of health-care providers to prescribe and to at least administer it. So we have doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and even pharmacists can maybe pulled in to do this. Story continues below advertisement 'In clinical trials lenacapavir was better, it was more effective than the daily pill taking. So it's a wonder drug.' Health Canada told Global News last week that though it is responsible for authorizing drugs and health products for safety, efficacy and quality, it is not responsible for its availability or distribution on the Canadian market, noting each province and territory has its own drug plan. Gilead said it will work with payers in both the public and private space to 'accelerate availability and access.' How much could it cost? Since the approval of the U.S. drug, there has been concerns over accessibility. The U.S. list price, meaning before insurance, is US$28,218 a year, according to Gilead, which the company called similar to some other PrEP options. Story continues below advertisement O'Byrne said cost is a key factor in helping prevent HIV because while having such a drug is helpful, if certain populations are unable to access it, little progress can be made. 'We could get a lot of interest and if a lot of people can't afford it, it's dead in the water,' he said. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We could get a lot of interest and if a lot of people can't afford it, it's dead in the water," he said. 'I think the biggest thing that people say when we talk about PrEP, it's how much does it cost. Some of that I think people are using the cost as, 'I don't really want to talk about it,' but nonetheless it's a huge barrier to say, 'I can't afford this.'' According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, as of 2022 54 per cent of HIV-PrEP prescriptions were paid for by private insurance, while 43 per cent was paid by public coverage. —with files from The Associated Press
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Amber-Jade Sanderson: WA primed for growth in global green energy transition
From wind and solar to big batteries and hydrogen, WA has a plan to achieve net zero by 2050. The Cook Government is embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by the energy transition. Our natural resources underpin our prosperity, drive our national economy, and supply the world. With that responsibility comes a share of emissions that are not just our own. Reducing these emissions will be good for West Australians and good for the world. We remain committed to achieving net zero through a credible trajectory — a trajectory specific to WA, not based on what other States and Territories are doing or think they can do. WA is the only State committed to getting out of coal by 2030, and we are on track to do that, reducing emissions from State-owned electricity generation by about 80 per cent by 2030. The global energy transition is an unprecedented opportunity to grow WA's economy, and create and sustain new, high-value jobs for the future. Our job is supporting our heavy industry to decarbonise to meet national emissions targets. We do that by investing in technology and transformational renewable energy projects, such as Synergy's big battery program, Pilbara Energy Transition, Pilbara Hydrogen Hub and the Vanadium battery in Kalgoorlie to name just a few. Not only is it an energy transition, it is the next economic transition. It will create and transition jobs in emerging green industries including batteries and critical minerals, hydrogen and ammonia and green metals. As a resource-rich State with an abundance of land, solar and wind required for renewable power generation, WA is primed to become a global renewable energy powerhouse. The Cook Government has committed $5.7 billion to renewable energy projects including transmission upgrades to replace coal-fired power stations while remaining realistic that we will need gas as a transition fuel. This transition is a whole-of-government priority. Collie's transition is a world-leading example of how governments can support local communities through the transition, ensuring they have sustainable industries and jobs. Our commitment to net zero is serious, and so is our Made in WA plan. Our reform agenda is focused on providing the settings that allow us to harness the State's natural resources to drive the clean energy transition, diversify the economy, and supply the world with the minerals and energy needed to decarbonise. I agree with Professor Peter Newman, who wrote in these pages in May on one point: green hydrogen is needed in industry, agriculture and mining to assist in the energy transition. That's why I attended the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam last month to deliver the message that WA's ambition to develop a world-class hydrogen industry is stronger than ever. We are looking for partners willing to engage and invest and in response we can act to de-risk multiple projects at the same time, giving proponents greater certainty around access to critical infrastructure, reliable and affordable clean energy, and long-term offtake partners. We have a plan to achieve net-zero; it is a Made in WA plan. Amber-Jade Sanderson is the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
Perth Now
18-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Perth café's small bar bid blocked by noise regulations
An inner Perth café owner is up in arms after their local council knocked back a bid to operate as a small bar due to noise issues, despite planning to only open until 9pm three nights a week. The owners of La Mortazza, just 3km from the CBD in North Perth, were told their plans were 'incompatible with its setting'. The City of Vincent's rules forbid exceeding 49 decibels in the evening, and the plans, rated at a similar level to a beer garden, were at 54dB. Both levels are deemed to be moderate — or about the same level as a household refrigerator, normal speaking or light traffic. Renowned sustainable cities expert Peter Newman said strict noise regulations were 'unreasonable and uneconomic'. 'It's part of living in a city,' he said, emphasising the City of Vincent was under pressure to increase housing density due to its close proximity to small bars, cafes and urban life — often not available in Perth's outer suburbs. Professor Newman said that urban living requires working out how to co-exist, not have bans or blanket restrictions. 'It's unreasonable in terms of the future of that area because it's going into decline and people who want to live there are younger, and they want urban activity,' he said. 'Noise is a part of life, and it's welcomed.' Woodville Reserve and La Mortazza cafe is claimed to be 100 metres apart. Credit: Google Maps La Mortazza director Raffaella D'Alonzo said the process had been long and challenging — but the council's decision, made this week, would be appealed. 'We are very upset,' she said. 'Any business owner wants to grow. We've outgrown the daytime service and just wanted to try.' 'We wanted to have a very small menu, only what was fresh from the season, and beer with some wine or Prosecco from Italy,' 'Nothing crazy, nothing where people get smashed, or drunk, very simple.' La Mortazza is at the ground floor of a three-storey apartment building on busy Fitzgerald Street — just three blocks from the intersection with Angove Street. The plans were to extend trading hours until 9pm on Thursday to Saturday to become a small bar. Vincent chief executive David MacLennan said nearby residents had been consulted but suggested the owners had included 'beer garden' in their application — a claim in dispute. Staff member Abano Perruzza and owner Raffaella D'Alonzo pictured at cafe La Mortazza in North Perth. Credit: Ian Munro / The West Australian 'As the business is approved as a small bar, we requested a noise assessment that more accurately reflects what can be reasonably expected when operating as a small bar,' he said. 'In providing this assessment, the second acoustic assessment included a reference to noise levels that were equivalent to a beer garden.' Some locals supported the extension. Brenton Williams, who lives two doors away, said what the cafe brought to the community outweighed other issues. 'We need to remember what actually brings a community vibrancy – if you're looking for peace and quiet I'm not sure why you're living in a city, let alone North Perth,' he told Tuesday night's council meeting. 'I've experienced noise, and this is not noise.' West Australian Music chief executive Owen Whittle said that the Environmental Protection Act (1997) requires venues to keep noise emissions low but can be sometimes vary in application by local governments. 'A lot of that will come down to the zoning rules and kind of authorities that local governments have,' he said. Outside of La Mortazza. Credit: Supplied Mr Whittle said that sometimes venues can face challenges due to noise readings being taken outside of buildings, which may not accurately represent the noise impact inside homes. 'Noise emissions are measured from the closest wall of a residential building to the venue generally,' he said. 'That can often create a lot of difficulties for those venues, because it's not those noise readings aren't necessarily taken from inside, and they're not necessarily going to be a true representation of the kind of noise emissions or their impact on amenity,' 'They can be increased because, of course, the noise from outside of our building can be far higher than what might be in someone's living room or bedroom.' Australian Hotel Association chief executive Bradley Woods said that small bars have become increasingly popular as they 'offer vibrant spaces that contribute to their local communities'. 'It's important to strike a balance between supporting local business growth and maintaining the amenity of surrounding residential areas,' he said.
