Traditional Medicines May Interfere With AIDS Treatments

For the 35 million people worldwide who are living with AIDS, antiretroviral therapies are lifesaving medicines that can slow or halt the disease. But in some developing countries where these drugs are most needed, culture can impact the effectiveness of treatment. Lou Barrows, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Utah is investigating interactions between commonly used traditional medicines in Papua New Guinea and antiretroviral therapies for treating AIDS. He explains his research findings and how they could impact people in Papua New Guinea, as well as in the U.S.