BC-CfE Through the Years

Dr. Montaner pioneered an innovative new concept called Treatment as Prevention (TasP) based on the notion that providing access to HAART at the earliest point following an HIV diagnosis could dramatically reduce the spread of HIV. The Lancet published a study led by Dr. Montaner presenting evidence supporting the efficiency of TasP in reducing new […]

BC-CfE published a landmark paper on “The case for expanding access to highly active antiretroviral therapy to curb the growth of the epidemic” (Lancet 2006; 368: 531-36). Since then, BC-CfE has gained the endorsement of the provincial government to roll out such a program in BC. HIV Ward expanded to 24 beds. Since its opening

BC-CfE submitted Health Canada “Special Access Program” application to provide two investigational HIV drugs to six patients resistant to all other therapies. Health Canada denies the BC-CfE access and the BC-CfE publicly campaigns for access. Health Canada reverses its decision and the BC-CfE is first to prescribe the combination of TMC114 (darunavir) and TMC125 (etravirine)

Initiation of the Preceptorship Program at JRC for family physicians interested in further training for the care of HIV patients. This is a 3-month long rotation exposing physicians to an interdisciplinary approach to the management of HIV/AIDS and participating in primary and specialized care. Read more on the BC-CfE’s Education & Training website

The John Ruedy Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital is a comprehensive primary care clinic for people living with HIV/AIDS in British Columbia. The JRC is a collaboration between the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Providence Health Care. With a focus on addressing the needs of the whole person and reducing the impact of

BC-CfE’s research laboratory produced techniques to measure the amount and impact of different levels of adherence to HIV therapies. BC-CfE initiates the Scientific Evaluation of North America’s first supervised injection facility – Insite. BC-CfE initiates a large cohort study of street-involved youth to examine their health-related needs.

BC-CfE first to use therapeutic drug monitoring of antiretroviral drugs for HIV infection in Canada.

BC-CfE’s research laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists/CLIA and the BC Diagnostic Accreditation Program.

“Dr. Julio S. G. Montaner, who heads the AIDS program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, said that H.I.V. therapy was so complex that even experts like him had difficulty keeping track of therapeutic advances.” READ THE FULL STORY