A U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientist said he is suspicious of a local corporation's herbal treatment for AIDS, although he is not familiar with the particular drug.
"I'm a little bit skeptical because (AIDS) is an area in which there are a number of unapproved and unproven cures of various types promoted from time to time by various groups and individuals," Mike Shaffer, spokesperson and scientist for the FDA in Maryland, said Saturday.Advanced Biological Systems, Salt Lake City, announced this week it financed preliminary tests of a substance, derived from 18 plants, that has produced a "significant improvement" in 70 AIDS patients.
According to the company, doctors' records and blood tests conducted on AIDS patients in Europe show a significant remission of AIDS symptoms, return of normal body weight and general good health, and the ability to work full-time and resume an active lifestyle.
The clinical test protocols are designed to meet or exceed FDA and World Health Organization guidelines, according to a ABS press release.
Shaffer said in general the FDA sees more fraudulent drugs for AIDS cures than in any other field. Many of the claims are old wives' tales or legends that companies state as fact.
"I think it's because there are a lot of people who desperately wish there were more products available (to treat AIDS), including the FDA," he said.
Because of this, Shaffer said the FDA gives priority consideration to investigative new AIDS drugs.
"AIDS treatments get priority treatment . . . . When they come to the agency for permission, they are given priority in their pursuits because it is a potentially valuable product," he said.
Shaffer said only two AIDS treatments have been fully approved by the FDA - AZT and ddI, didanosine, which was approved in July. He said there probably are about 25 or 30 AIDS drugs in development.
Research results of ABS' product shows it modulates and reinforces the immune system and reduces the presence of the HIV virus that leads to AIDS, said Emmanuel A. Floor, president of ABS and former Triad America Corp. executive.
ABS is currently financing preliminary toxicology tests at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
Floor and other ABS officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.