An HIV / AIDS researcher who was noted for extensively researching pharmaceutical drug resistance and discovering drugs that helped prolong the lives of those who were affected by the incurable disease has drowned off the coast of Florida.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Mark Wainberg, 71, was swimming in the area of Bal Harbour. His son swam out to locate him and ended up finding him drowned. Officers claim to have administered CPR. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Very sad to hear that Mark Wainberg drowned. He was a major force in HIV science. Will be missed.
— Paul Volberding (@pvolberding) April 12, 2017
According to CBC:
Wainberg was one of the first to discover the anti-viral drug Lamivudine, which is used to treat infections caused by HIV. He also extensively researched HIV drug resistance to identify mutations that caused some medications to not work as effectively.
Bal Harbour Police Captain Mike De La Rosa is blaming strong currents, according to reports.
Many conspiracies exist regarding whether or not pharmaceutical companies truly want to find the cure for diseases such as HIV/AIDS and cancer. Both have long been machines of revenue for years and neither have seemingly come close to a cure.
It is likely Wainberg’s death is that of an accident as currents in Florida currently do reflect a higher intensity than usual, it doesn’t, however, dismiss the increased scrutiny that comes with pharma’s lack of a cure in the pursuit of an AIDS resolution. Many treatments do exist currently but the patient is required to take a lifetime’s worth of medications in order for continued success.