Global challenges in the development and delivery of paediatric antiretrovirals.
By the end of 2006, compared with 28% coverage for adults, only 15% of children with HIV that needed antiretroviral treatment were receiving it. Major challenges in delivering treatment include the lack of paediatric antiretrovirals that can be dosed in small children and limited studies examining safety and efficacy for existing antiretroviral formulations. The high costs of treatment have been reduced through the use of generic, fixed-dose combination drugs. Evidence-based strategies for managing resistance and the scale-up of pharmacological trials for children in low- and middle-income countries are crucial to the success and future development of paediatric antiretrovirals.
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia.
Asha
A
Bowen
Pamela
P
Palasanthiran
Annette H
AH
Sohn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016527:Drug Costs; D015195:Drug Design; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016568:Drugs, Generic