Generic antiretroviral efficacy in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa.
Generic antiretroviral drugs are pivotal in the implementation of WHO's '3 by 5' programme. However, clinical experience with generics in sub-Saharan Africa is insufficiently documented. We report on 50 patients with HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma treated with generic fixed-dose highly active antiretroviral therapy. At 52 weeks, 74% achieved an undetectable viral load of < 50 copies/ml, 86% achieved < 400 copies/ml, and a 3.1 log10 decline from baseline. Side-effects were minimal. The outcomes support the use of generic antiretroviral therapy.
Mosam
Anisa
A
Department of Dermatology, Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, Durban, South Africa.
Cassol
Edana
E
Page
Taryn
T
Bodasing
Uvani
U
Cassol
Sharon
S
Dawood
Halima
H
Friedland
Gerald H
GH
Scadden
David T
DT
Aboobaker
Jamila
J
Jordaan
Jacobus P
JP
Lalloo
Umesh G
UG
Esterhuizen
Tonya M
TM
Coovadia
Hoosen M
HM
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003906:Developing Countries; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D016568:Drugs, Generic