OBITUARIES

Joep Lange Pioneering HIV/AIDS researcher and advocate for global treatment

Joseph “Joep” Lange (b 1954; q 1981 University his most important HIV paper was published in of ), was one of 298 passengers 1992 in the Journal of Virology, it indicated that who died on 17 July 2014 when Malaysia the virus was concealed in certain types of white Airlines flight MH17 crashed in Ukraine. blood cells.5 The paper has been cited more than 1000 times. In June this year, three months before turning Through his research, Lange became convinced 60, Joep Lange was on a plane, chatting with that the most effective treatment of HIV should a colleague about his work. Lange had spent include use of at least three antiretroviral drugs, most of his adult life on HIV/AIDS—as a pio- known as triple antiretroviral therapy. In 1994 at neer researcher helping to understand the basic the European AIDS Clinical Society meeting in pathology of the virus, as a caring doctor, and Milan, at a time when many leading experts were as a determined advocate for HIV/AIDS patients sceptical of antiretroviral therapy, Lange argued around the world, especially in Africa. that only an array of drugs with different mecha- But after three decades of hard work, Lange nisms could combat the virus effectively, urging knew that the battle against HIV/AIDS had not clinicians to start treatment as early as possible. been won—and was not even close to being won. He also was recognised for his work on the preven- There was still much to be done, still millions and the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and tion of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. millions of suffering people he wanted to help. Development (AIGHD). He held seemingly count- In 1992, in preparation for his job at WHO, Lange would need more time. Lange’s colleague less other positions and served on editorial boards Lange travelled to Africa for the first time. He on the flight, Jacques van der Gaag, professor of several scientific journals. When he spoke, peo- wanted “to see the epicentre of the HIV/AIDS of development economics at the University of ple listened—even those who disagreed. epidemic.” The visit, he wrote in a contribution Amsterdam, noted that it is now normal to con- Joseph Marie Albert Lange was born on 25 for an upcoming booklet on HIV/AIDS research tinue working beyond the traditional retirement S­eptember 1954 in Nieuwenhagen, the Nether- in Africa, “turned out to be a life changing event.” age of 65. He told Lange: “You still have at least lands. In the autumn of 1971, he travelled to the In , he toured Makerere University’s 10 more productive years in you.” USA to spend a school year as a foreign exchange Mulago Hospital, accompanied by Elly T Katabira, Lange replied: “But that is not enough.” student at a high school in Tampa, Florida. He who would become “a close friend and steady col- On 17 July Lange boarded a plane in Amster- had long hair and he liked Bob Dylan, accord- laborator,” and who is now an associate professor dam to travel as a delegate to the 20th Interna- ing to classmates interviewed by a Tampa news- at the university. Lange “was shocked to see the tional AIDS Conference in Melbourne. With paper after his death.1 A daughter of a family internal medicine wards almost entirely occupied him on board was his partner, Jacqueline van with whom he stayed remembers receiving a by people with AIDS, two in each bed, and many Tongeren, and at least four other delegates to special present from him on her 13th birthday: lying on mattresses on the floor. At regular inter- the conference. In an unimaginable horror, the the White Album by the Beatles. Lange returned vals, I saw how people who had just died were plane—Malaysia Airlines flight MH17—crashed to the high school in 2012 for the 40 year reun- being carried away. Besides a lack of running in Ukraine after apparently being shot down. All ion of his class. water, there were virtually no diagnostic tools 283 passengers and 15 crew Lange studied medicine at and little to no medicines.” Lange adds: “It . . . members died. Joep Lange’s most important the University of Amsterdam, became my mission to do something about the “Joep Lange is no more,” medical contribution was earning his medical degree in terrible global inequality in access to life-saving says Agnes van Ardenne, for- “his relentless desire to see 1981 and a PhD in 1987. Spe- medicines.” mer Dutch minister for devel- that everybody had access cialising in infectious diseases In 2000 Lange founded PharmAccess to pro- opment cooperation, adding: to quality healthcare and at AMC, he became interested mote affordable healthcare in Africa. Frustrated “But his dream will live on.” commodities however poor in HIV/AIDS in 1983, two about the lack of global commitment from policy She described Lange as “a he or she is” years after the mysterious makers and global organisations to supply ade- towering example of human- disease had first been clini- quate HIV/AIDS drugs for Africa, he famously ity” who was on a “quest to establish the right to cally observed in the US. The next year he was said: “These drugs have saved hundreds of thou- healthcare for everyone . . . everywhere.” co-author of a paper concerning AIDS published sands of lives in Europe and the United States. Known and respected worldwide for his exper- in the Lancet.2 The pace of his research output They could do the same for millions more in tise on HIV/AIDS, Lange served from 1992 to 1995 accelerated dramatically after he earned his PhD developing countries. If we can get cold Coca– as chief of clinical research and drug develop- in 1987, and at the time of his death he had pub- Cola and beer to every remote corner of Africa, ment for the World Health Organization’s Global lished nearly 400 papers. it should not be impossible to do the same with Programme on AIDS, and from 2002 to 2004 as The most important papers he co-authored drugs.” president of the International AIDS Society (IAS). include a study of 14 men with HIV who did not Lange leaves four daughters, and a son. At the time of his death, he was professor of medi- develop AIDS for at least two years.3 Another, Ned Stafford, Hamburg cine and head of the global health department at published in 1989, followed the progression and [email protected] the University of Amsterdam’s Academic Medical changes of the HIV virus in 20 men from no symp- References are in the version on thebmj.com. Centre (AMC) and executive scientific director of toms until immunodeficiency occurred.4 Perhaps Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g4827

22 2 August 2014 | the bmj OBITUARIES

a surgical problem themselves. Charles Ian Duthie Adams taught undergraduates in Dundee and Anthony Promnitz Arbroath. He was an examiner for the fellowship examination of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. He leaves his wife, Margaret; three children; and five grandchildren. Robert Anderson Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g4467 first positions was at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he met and Former consultant in accident and Peter Cook married Brenda Easey in 1951. After a Consultant physician in emergency medicine St James’s position in Dundee, he and his family respiratory and general Hospital, Leeds (b 1931; q Leeds settled in Rotherham, and he worked medicine Ipswich Hospital 1956; MD, FFAEM, Dip.Sports Med), largely at Rotherham’s Doncaster Gate (b 1955; q University of the died from metastatic prostate and Moorgate hospitals. After retiring Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, cancer on 13 March 2014. he and Brenda moved back to Norfolk. South Africa, 1979 (cum laude); Ian Duthie Adams became consultant Forrest was a keen member of Lindrick FACCP, FRCPSG, FRCP, FMCSA), in accident and emergency medicine Golf Club and an enthusiastic fly died from prostate cancer at St James’s in 1974. As medical fisherman. Predeceased by Brenda in on 27 June 1013. officer to Leeds United Football Club 2006, he leaves three children. Douglas Anthony Promnitz held for 13 years he had completed his MD, Former general practitioner (b 1947; Robin Forrest numerous positions in his native on osteoarthritis of the knee joint in q Sheffield 1970; FRCGP), died from Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g4465 South Africa, including that of sportsmen, while working in general oesophageal cancer on 3 April 2014 principal specialist and head of the practice. The sports medicine clinic he Peter Cook joined East Birmingham Michael David Arthur Heller division of pulmonology at Chris established at St James’s was the first general practice vocational training Hani Baragwanath Hospital. He in the NHS, but lack of funding led to its scheme (VTS) in 1974 and then moved emigrated to the UK in 1996, worked closure after 13 years. Medical officer to south Yorkshire, when he became a in Scotland and at Hinchingbrooke for international athletics, gymnastics, principal in general practice in 1977. Hospital, until he took up a post at cricket, and karate, he lectured in sports He quickly fitted into the practice and Ipswich Hospital the end of 2003, medicine in Europe, the Philippines, and community, and he married Christine where he worked until his illness South Africa. He was elected chairman in 1978. They adopted two children, forced him into early retirement in of the British Association of Sports and Helen and James. Peter’s interest in August 2012. By his own admission Exercise Medicine and to the executive general practice led him to become he was “not a politician,’’ and he of the European Federation of Sports a successful trainer in the Doncaster Former consultant child psychiatrist was acutely aware of, and sensitive Medicine Associations. Predeceased VTS and in 2001 he was honoured Royal Alexandra Hospital, Brighton, to, discrimination in the workplace. by June, his wife of 55 years, he leaves a with the fellowship of the Royal College and director Colwood Adolescent Anthony received the news of daughter, a son, and three grandsons. of General Practitioners. He was a Unit, Haywards Heath, Sussex his diagnosis in the middle of a Jane Piggott Christian who thought deeply and (b 1927; q St Mary’s Hospital bronchoscopy procedure list—which Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g4463 carefully about his beliefs. He retired in 1951; FRCP, FRCPsych), died from he went on to complete nonetheless. 2007 and was able to enjoy classical disseminated carcinoma of the Having borne his illness with Charles James Barton music and theatre, and to see his family bowel on 15 June 2013. courage, acceptance, and dignity, he Anderson married and settled, with children of After qualifying and doing national leaves his companion, Barry. their own. He leaves Christine, two service in Scotland, Michael David Ronald Sproat Former consultant general surgeon children, and two grandchildren. Arthur Heller (“Mike”) initially trained Michelle Wong (b 1918; q Aberdeen 1940; FRCS Richard Buckle in general medicine in London. Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g4555 Ed), d 15 February 2014 Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g4469 He then pursued a career in child After wartime service in the army, psychiatry, working at Springfield and Longer versions are on Charles James Barton Anderson the Maudsley hospitals. After being Bertram Galloway Forrest thebmj.com. obtained a surgical training post in appointed consultant child psychiatrist We are pleased to receive obituary Aberdeen, where he met and married Consultant anaesthetist (b 1921; in Brighton, he planned and opened notices. In most cases we will be Margaret, who was a theatre sister there. q St Andrews University 1949; DA one of the UK’s first psychiatric units able to publish only about 100 He was appointed consultant surgeon Lond), d 21 May 2014. for adolescents in Haywards Heath. A words in the printed journal, but in Shetland, where he stayed for three Bertram Galloway Forrest was born in proud fellow of two royal colleges, he we will run a fuller version on years, providing a singlehanded surgical Bombay and was educated at Loretto was delighted that his two eldest sons thebmj.com. We will take service to the island population. He then School in Edinburgh. The second and two of his grandchildren have responsibility for shortening. became consultant general surgeon at world war, during which he served as become doctors. Mike devoted much We do not send proofs. Arbroath Hospital in Angus, where the a captain in the Royal Army Medical of his retirement to caring for his wife, Please give a contact telephone quality of the service he provided was Corps from 1945 to 1948, interrupted Betty, who died in 2006. He leaves his number, and email the obituary to [email protected] exemplified by the number of doctors his studies. After serving in India, six children and 16 grandchildren. We do not accept obituaries sent from the neighbouring city of Dundee Burma, and Palestine, he returned to Simon Heller, Andrew Heller by post. who made for Arbroath when they had his studies and qualified. One of his Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g4468 the bmj | 2 August 2014 23