The University of Miami has brought clinical trials of new AIDS drugs to Broward County through the Wansiki Foundation's Fort Lauderdale Clinic. The clinic, which is staffed by three doctors and a nurse practitioner, sees about 1,000 HIV patients a week, many of whom are uninsured or have difficulty paying for treatment. Dr. Margaret Fischl, director of AIDS clinical trials group at UM, is conducting more than 20 trials through the National Institutes of Health and drug companies. Patients pay nothing to participate, and the university pays for their blood work, prescriptions and check-ups. Four clinic patients have joined the program since its July launch, and dozens of others are being screened to determine if they can join. The trials are testing new drugs and older drugs in new combinations and dosages. For more information, telephone 954-771-6404.

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