HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05191987 - 2.4 Z-00+
TO:,.; BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Mark Finucane , Health Services DirectorContra
Costa
DATE: May 4 , 1987 CoU ��y rt,
SUBJECT: Usage of the AIDS Treatment Drug , AZT , by the Health �J
Services Department
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
I . RECOMMENDED ACTION : Accept report from the County Health
Services Department regarding the usage of the AIDS
treatment drug , AZT, by the Health Services Department .
II . FINANCIAL IMPACT : None .
III . REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND :
In response to a request from the Board of Supervisors of
April 7 , 1987 , we are providing the following background
on the use of the AIDS treatment drug AZT by the Health
Services Department .
AZT is the first chemotherapeutic agent that has been
proven to be effective in the treatment of AIDS . While
the drug is not a cure for the disease , preliminary data
from a double-blind therapeutic trial undertaken in
cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control showed
significant prolongation of life in the treated group .
The study was then interrupted , and a wider experimental
trial under CDC protocols was begun in November , 1986 .
Dr . Mark Wille , Chief of Medicine at Merrithew Memorial *
Hospital , was among the first physicians throughout the
United States who applied to the CDC to use the new drug
under their experimental protocol .
All three AIDS patients followed by the County Health
Services Department who met the CDC criteria for inclu-
sion in the AZT treatment protocol were referred to Dr .
Wille and were immediately entered into experimental
treatment with their informed consent . In March , 1987
the Food and Drug Administration approved the general use
of AZT for AIDS and severe AIDS Related Complex (ARC )
patients , and the State Health Services Department added
the drug to the Medi -Cal formulary in California . The .
Merrithew Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
approved on April 7th the general use of AZT within the
hospital and clinic system for all patients who meet the
FDA criteria . There are currently two patients being
treated with AZT within the Health Services De rtment .
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE S :
ACTION OF BOARD ON May 19 , 19 1 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
The Board accepted the report . On recommendation of Supervisor
Fanden, the Board instructed the Clerk to send copies of this
report to all cities in Contra Costa County.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
y' UNANIMOUS (ABSENT IV ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TARN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
cc: Health Services Director ATTESTED May 19 , 1987
County Administrator
All Cities in Contra Costa County PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382/7-83 BY— C�'` `�2�-`� ,DEPUTY
)
4
I .
The cost for AZT drug treatment is approximately $8 ,000
per year ; this cost will be covered by Medi -Cal for those
patients who are eligible . The drug is currently in
short supply, and. an application must be made to the drug
company for the treatment of each patient , explaining the
clinical situation of the patient and how they meet the
FDA criteria . The drug has been available so far to all
patients who meet the FDA. criteria , and the Health
Services Department intends to continue to provide AZT
treatment to all patients for whom it is medically
appropriate .
Although Merrithew Hospital is not as yet a major AIDS
treatment center., the physicians and other professional
staff maintain close contact with AIDS research and
treatment in the Bay Area and throughout the nation ,
so that the latest , most effective , and most humane treat -
ment and disease management methods will be available
to AIDS victims in Contra Costa .
J