E-mail the Coalition
Contact Information:
Attn: George M. Carter, Director
62 Sterling Place, Suite 2
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone: 718 622-0212
Fax: 718 622-4292
E-mail: [email protected]
Web page: http://aidsinfonyc.org/fiar/
Mission Statement
Objectives
Overview of FIAR
Selecting Studies
Product Evaluation
Disseminating Information
Side Effects
Contact Information
FIAR will evaluate, in clinical trial settings, the "dietary supplements" many people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C are using to help delay progression, offset antiretroviral side effects or extend structured treatment interruptions in order to evaluate their benefits, risks, limitations and costs to enable better-informed treatment decision. FIAR, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, dies not accept pharmaceutical or nutriceutical industry funding.
FIAR will work to:
The treatment of HIV/AIDS has advanced considerably over the 21 years of the pandemic. However, there is no cure for HIV disease. Access to antiretroviral therapy (ARV) is severely restricted and for many, remains completely unavailable. For those who had access to ARV, there are numerous problems, most notably with the development of resistance (where the drugs are no longer effective in controlling viral load) and the development of serious, debilitating and sometimes fatal side effects. Therefore, to the extent possible, other interventions with potential value in managing HIV disease, ARV side effects and other sequelae and symptoms must be investigated where there is a reasonable basis for doing so.
The Foundation for Integrative AIDS Research (FIAR) is designed to address those needs. Normally, one thinks of universities, companies and government agencies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) coordinating and conducting clinical studies. Still, many important questions that affect the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C remain unanswered. As the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) and other organizations have filled the gap left by the NIH in the investigation of many pharmaceutical drugs along with providing information on those interventions, FIAR will endeavor to fill some of the gaps on interventions that have received less attention, even though they are in widespread use.
Specifically, these interventions are defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as dietary supplements. These include ingested substances that are not considered foods or drugs. The types of substances include vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, single or mixed amino acids, protein supplements (powders and drinks) and herbs used other than for culinary purposes.
Of course, treatment is not limited to consumed items. Other interventions include body work, acupuncture, exercise, energy work, intercession at a distance and other approaches. Where such a modality is commonly used and represents an important clinical question that must be addressed, FIAR will endeavor to raise funds and coordinate a methodologically sound clinical study.
Attention: George M. Carter, Director
62 Sterling Place, Suite 2
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone: 718 622-0212
Fax: 718 622-4292
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.aidsinfonyc.org/fiar/
Revised December 26, 2001