WHO concern over new drug

Article Abstract:

The Romanian Health Ministry is using the antiviral drug FLV 23/A in a clinical trial for the treatment of AIDS in children. The Romanian Health Ministry says that the drug is harmless and is using it in a physician supervised double-blind trial with placebos as controls. There is no published data on the toxicity of the drug. The Romanian National Drug Commission says that toxicity tests were performed on guinea pigs. An official from the World Health Organization (WHO) went to Romania to investigate the trial. The drug was developed by David Hughes, a Scottish inventor and researcher. The British Foreign Office has warned officials in Romania of their doubts regarding Hughes' background and his claims of the effectiveness of the drug. Western researchers have no knowledge of the drug or its success in treating AIDS. The drug is not listed in drug reference books. According to the International Medical Research Foundation in Dubai, FLV 23/A is based on oxides of hexylene which will attack the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS, and is effective against other similar viruses. Hughes has previously used FLV 23/A on AIDS patients in Malawi, Africa and claims that the drug was successful. However, these results were not reliable because no controls were used in the trial. Some suspicions regarding the legitimacy of Hughes' work were raised by other physicians before he left Malawi. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Investigations, Drug therapy, World Health Organization, Hughes, David

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Pollution as Czech public enemy number one

Article Abstract:

Czechoslovakia is facing major environmental and economic problems as levels of toxic substances in the air vastly exceed safe levels. The burning of high-sulphur coal in Bohemia has contributed to the destruction of 40 to 60 percent of the region's forests. In addition, the local life expectancy is 1.5 years less than the Czech average. Bedrich Moldan, minister for the Czech lands, believes that a political system to handle environmental problems has not yet developed. A recent poll revealed that 43 percent of Czech citizens would accept a lower standard of living if the money saved were invested for the long-term benefit of the country. The populace is so disturbed about environmental problems that strikes and demonstrations could materialize if signs of pollution intensify. Moldan has stated that a new energy policy must restructure the economy around light industry instead of heavy industry. Most Czechs, even coal miners, would support nuclear power plants over coal mining, but the economy cannot survive stopping even the most serious polluters until alternatives are found. Without help from other countries, solutions to these problems will be difficult to achieve. Czechoslovakia's President Vaclav Havel wants no new foreign debt. However, Moldan will seek help from West Germany to reduce the amount of sulphur used in power plants fueled with coal. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Physiological aspects, Demographic aspects, Environmental aspects, Surveys, Pollution, Environmental policy, Environmental health, Air pollution, Sulfur dioxide, Czechoslovakia

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AIDS in children adds to Romania's troubles

Article Abstract:

Up until September 1989, there were 50 cases of AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, in children in the country of Romania. Now there are 550 children infected with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS, and most of these Romanian children will die within two years. The increase is thought to be largely due to the practice of microtransfusion, in which sick children are given small amounts of whole blood to build up their strength. This technique is not practiced in Western countries, and it has been stopped in Romania. Ceaucescu, the slain Romanian leader, has been credited with a role in exacerbating the AIDS crisis. The government policies against abortion and birth control, in an already poor nation, contributed to a situation in which parents would send children off to hospitals for any illness. In addition, the Ceaucescu regime hindered efforts to screen for HIV infection, and researchers were prevented from openly discussing the problem in professional forums. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Blood transfusion

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