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The Foundation for Integrative AIDS Research

FIAR begins Spring Break study!

FIAR's director gave testimony for the New York State Dept. of Health Partnership for Coverage public hearings on Nov. 2, 2007. Click here to read his testimony and that of public advocate extraordinaire, Greg Otten. We need a SINGLE PAYER system!

See the FIAR presentation to the Deutsch-Österreichischen AIDS-Kongresses (DÖAK 2007) from this past June 28, 2007: Powerpoint version or Word (.rtf) version. More information below and a direct link to the day's events by clicking here.

FIAR, a non-profit organization, sponsors and stimulates interest in clinical trials of herbal and nutritional treatments for people with HIV, AIDS and/or chronic viral hepatitis. The goal is to show whether or not these treatments can lessen symptoms, delay the need for Western drugs or reduce side effects. Some studies are carried out in developing nations where indigenous treatments are used and antiretroviral drugs (ARV) are largely unavailable. FIAR also seeks to bring ARV, self-empowering information and prevention to such under-served areas.

Meconopsis horridula

FIAR studies dietary supplements and other biologic agents. Dietary supplements are defined by the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA) and include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, thousands of different botanicals ("herbs"), protein powders, hormones, etc. Other modalities, such as massage, Reiki, spiritual practices may be addressed in the future as FIAR grows and develops.

FIAR's mission

People need better information to help guide treatment choices! Many studies show that a high percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS already use many of these interventions. How do they work? Can they help to manage side effects of drug therapy? Can they slow the rate of progression? Can they lengthen the time on a Structured Treatment Interruption? FIAR, working with the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis communities, clinics, hospitals, practitioners and organizations around the world designs, funds and implements clinical studies to answer some of these questions and thus help people in making better-informed treatment decisions. Negative results mean people will save money and time. Positive results may encourage coverage under insurance (like ADAP) for greater access and reduced burden of cost on our healthcare systems.

FIAR's first duty is to participants in such studies and adheres to the highest standards in informed consent, patient protection and careful monitoring. FIAR's studies use rigorous methodology to answer the clinical question posed.

For information on FIAR's current and proposed studies, click here.

FIAR"s director, George Carter, was invited to present at the Deutsch-Österreichischen AIDS-Kongresses (DÖAK 2007), held at the end of June 2007. The topic of his presentation was Ethics and Clinical Trials in Resource Limited Settings. He reviewed the fundamental rights of participants in clinicals trials, the frequent lack of ethics in the pharmaceutical industry as well sometimes in government studies and ideas for a way forward. You can review the slides from the presentation as a Powerpoint version or Word (.rtf) version. Click here for a link to the presentations of the day. This was a symposium of the HIVCENTER of Frankfurt University in collaboration with the Department of Tropical Medicine and Public Health of Heidelberg University at the German-Austrian AIDS conference 2007.

In the FIAR fight against AIDS, FIAR is proud to have been the fiscal sponsor for the new New York Buyers' Club (NYBC). NYBC received its 501(c)3 status in December, 2006. NYBC provides information about and access to high-quality dietary supplements to manage chronic diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Programs to address the needs of low-income individuals are in place as well as providing aid to international partners in the developing world.

In October, 2006, FIAR was the fiscal sponsor to the Complementary & Alternative Medicine Initiative (CAMI). They have received their not-for-profit status and are doing important work in Nigeria to address the HIV pandemic there. Please click for more information.

FIAR also has been working with CITTA in its work in India and Nepal. They work largely in rural but also urban areas on ways and means to help communities suffering from profound poverty by providing schools, hospitals, women's centers and other outreach efforts, based on community-identified needs.

News, September 2005: FIAR recently helped Navakiran Plus in Kathmandu, Nepal to develop a unit to care for TB patients. It will now provide intensive care to 3 people at a time. The total cost was around 100,000 Nepali Rupees and 70% was FIAR support. We hope to provide additional support in the future.

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To avoid conflicts of interest, FIAR does not solicit funds
from pharmaceutical or nutriceutical companies.

See George Carter's CROI interview with Jon Kaiser, MD

See FIAR's letter to Science

last modified 11/14/2007
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