FDA, Veterans Administration to Examine Possible Link Between HIV Drugs and Avascular Necrosis
The FDA yesterday announced plans to conduct an epidemiological study with the Veterans' Administration to determine whether avascular necrosis in HIV patients is linked to the usage of HIV drugs, or if it is a result of the virus itself. The study will use data collected from suspected cases of AVN among the 50,000 patients in the Veterans Health Administration's HIV Registry. VA doctors will use an FDA-developed "web-based software" to confirm AVN diagnosis. If the drugs used to treat HIV can be linked to AVN, the FDA may "take steps to change the labeling" and inform doctors of the potential adverse effect ( FDA release, 11/20).
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