The Local Germany

Drug experts plead for a better way

Mon, 18 May 2015 17:36:55 +0200

In an “Alternative Drugs and Addiction Report”, experts have warned politicians that current laws on dangerous drugs are doing more harm than good.

Germans 'cut HIV out of infected cells'

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 15:05:00 +0100

German scientists have managed to remove HIV from cells while leaving those cells alive - opening the door to potential cures for the disease.

A third of HIV cases 'not diagnosed'

Fri, 29 Nov 2013 09:40:00 +0100

A third of HIV sufferers in Germany do not know they are infected with the disease, with doctors warning that the number of new infections remains high, ahead of World Aids Day on Sunday.

Medics: gays should be allowed to give blood

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 14:46:00 +0200

German doctors are calling for gay men to be allowed to donate blood. Currently a Europe-wide ban prevents them from doing so, but the German Health Minister said he would welcome a relaxation of the rules.

State considers forced HIV and hepatitis tests

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:52:00 +0100

People living in Saxony-Anhalt could soon be forced to take HIV or hepatitis tests if they are deemed to pose a danger to another person, state officials confirmed on Friday.

Major fraud suspected with HIV drugs

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:22:00 +0100

German federal police and prosecutors are investigating suspected large-scale fraud around HIV medicines, according to public broadcaster NDR. Wholesalers allegedly sold subsidized medicines meant for Africa for huge profits in Germany.

Germany suspends global AIDS fund payments

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:33:00 +0100

Germany said on Wednesday it was suspending yearly payments of €200 million ($274 million) to the Global Fund Against AIDS, TB and Malaria following allegations of corruption.

New HIV treatment found

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:26:00 +0100

German scientists have discovered a new way to treat HIV-AIDS by stopping the virus attaching itself to a human cell, which reduces side effects and the chance of viral resistance.

German doctors cure man of HIV

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:00:00 +0100

An American man is still HIV-free more than three years after receiving a stem cell transplant, suggesting the first-ever cure of the virus that causes AIDS, German doctors said this week.

Penis boxing video game to promote safe sex

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:51:00 +0100

To mark World AIDS Day on Wednesday, a German organisation has created a risqué online game allowing men to use their penises to “cock out” the deadly disease in a boxing match using a high-tech condom and a webcam.

Pope says condoms are sometimes acceptable

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 11:01:00 +0100

Pope Benedict XVI has said for the first time that using condoms is acceptable "in certain cases", notably to reduce the risk of HIV infection, in a book due out Tuesday, apparently softening his once hard-line stance.

Merkel welcomes Bruni aid appeal to Bundestag

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:30:00 +0200

Angela Merkel's spokesman has said the chancellor would welcome a personal appeal by France's First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, to the German parliament for more international aid.

HIV-positive No Angels singer charged with bodily harm

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:19:00 +0100

Prosecutors said Friday they have charged Nadja Benaissa, a member of Germany's all-female pop group No Angels, with causing bodily harm for failing to inform sexual partners that she was HIV positive.

Activists blast anti-AIDS campaign showing Hitler having sex

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:38:00 +0200

A steamy new AIDS awareness advert showing an Adolf Hitler lookalike having sex has come under fire by activist groups for stigmatising those who are infected with the virus.

HIV-positive man gets further eight years for unprotected sex

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:34:00 +0200

An HIV-positive man was sentenced on Wednesday to eight years in prison after having unprotected sex with three women, including a 13-year-old girl.

No Angels HIV-positive star Nadja allowed to stay in band

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:36:00 +0200

Nadja Benaissa, singer in the popular German girl band No Angels, will be allowed to stay with the band despite being arrested on suspicion of infecting a lover with HIV, tabloid BZ reported on Wednesday.

Hamburg bishop says condoms can't be 'taboo'

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:01:00 +0100

A Hamburg bishop on Thursday said the Catholic Church must rethink its “taboo” stance on condoms, contradicting controversial comments made by Pope Benedict XVI blaming them for making the AIDS epidemic in Africa worse.

Doctor heals leukemia patient of AIDS

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:51:00 +0100

A Berlin doctor has reportedly cured a leukemia patient of the deadly AIDS virus, German daily Die Welt reported on Wednesday.

Doctor charged for reusing dirty needles

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:29:00 +0200

Some 1,800 people in the southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg have reportedly been told to be tested for HIV after police discovered their doctor had been reusing needles in her practice.