Paediatric ARVs and formulations

Paediatric Abacavir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (pALD) fixed-dose combination: Introduction and rollout planning considerations for national programmes

rlekirkegaard — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:30:23 +0000

Paediatric Abacavir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (pALD) fixed-dose combination: Introduction and rollout planning considerations for national programmes rlekirkegaard Thu, 12/21/2023 - 19:30

Dolutegravir (DTG)-based HIV treatment regimens are recommended by the World Health Organization for children living with HIV (CLHIV) who weigh at least 3 kg. In 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) granted tentative approval of paediatric DTG 10 mg scored, dispersible tablets (pDTG) for CLHIV weighing a minimum of 3 kg and at least four weeks of age. In early 2021, national HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) began to transition CLHIV from treatment regimens containing non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) and lopinavir/ritonavir to pDTG. As of the last quarter of 2022, at least 73 countries have already placed or received orders for pDTG1 and an estimated 130,000 children have transitioned to pDTG. pDTG currently is administered along with optimised backbone antiretrovirals (ARVs) such as abacavir/lamivudine 120/60 mg scored dispersible tablets (pABC/3TC) per the WHO’s 2021 Consolidated HIV Guidelines.

This brief aims to inform the transition from pDTG + pABC/3TC to the new fixed-dose combination (FDC) dispersible tablet of paediatric ABC/3TC/DTG 60/30/5 mg (pALD).

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

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Paediatric ARVs and formulations

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Brief

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2023

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pALD introduction and rollout planning

Accelerating Access to Optimal Child-Friendly Antiretroviral Formulations for Children Living with HIV: Lessons Learned from Eight Sub-Saharan African Countries

rlekirkegaard — Fri, 28 May 2021 17:48:37 +0000

Accelerating Access to Optimal Child-Friendly Antiretroviral Formulations for Children Living with HIV: Lessons Learned from Eight Sub-Saharan African Countries rlekirkegaard Fri, 05/28/2021 - 20:48

EGPAF, with funding and support from Unitaid and DNDi, is bringing new-to-market pediatric ARV formulations to full-scale implementation in eight African countries. We gathered and documented lessons learned from these eight project countries to inform, streamline and accelerate the introduction and roll-out of new, child-friendly ARVs so that all children living with HIV have access to optimal, WHO-recommended treatment and care.

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

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Paediatric ARVs and formulations

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Case study

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2021

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Paediatric ARV-Lessons-Learned-Brief

Understanding and Improving Viral Load Suppression in Children with HIV In Eastern and Southern Africa

rlekirkegaard — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 14:27:55 +0000

Understanding and Improving Viral Load Suppression in Children with HIV In Eastern and Southern Africa rlekirkegaard Tue, 03/16/2021 - 16:27

In 2019 it was estimated that 1.2 million children (0-14) were living with HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa, yet more than a half million of these children (504,000) were not receiving lifesaving treatment. Children with HIV need to achieve viral load suppression if they are to lead long and healthy lives. Population-based surveys in Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe found that children on treatment fare worse in achieving viral load suppression compared to adults; 42 per cent vs 67 per cent, 39 per cent vs 84 per cent and 47 per cent vs 86 per cent respectively. Ending AIDS will not be possible without accelerating progress for children.

UNICEF, in collaboration with governments and partners, supported a mixed method study that included literature review, assessment of laboratory data in Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe and interviews with health workers and caregivers in Malawi to find out what is behind these low rates. The study found that one out of every three children who had a viral load test had not achieved viral load suppression. Support networks for caregivers and children improved adherence and made a difference towards outcome. The full report describes the methodology, key findings, challenges and proposes concrete recommendations to improve treatment outcomes for children with HIV. The accompanying advocacy brief summarizes the key findings and provides action-oriented next steps

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

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UNICEF

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Eastern and Southern Africa

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Paediatric ARVs and formulations

Viral load monitoring

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Brief

Case study

Year Tags

2021

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VLS CLHIV study report

VLS CLHIV advocacy brief

/vls-clhiv

Renewed commitment for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT) and universal coverage for Pediatric HIV Testing and Treatment in West and Central Africa by 2020

cmannikarottu — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 18:29:37 +0000

Renewed commitment for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT) and universal coverage for Pediatric HIV Testing and Treatment in West and Central Africa by 2020 cmannikarottu Thu, 04/25/2019 - 21:29

At a high-level meeting in Dakar, Senegal in January 2019, UNAIDS, UNICEF and WHO urged countries in Western and Central Africa to strengthen their commitments towards EMTCT and universal coverage for paediatric testing and treatment for HIV.

Countries and partners renewed their commitment to the 2015 Dakar Call to Action for Accelerating the Elimination of New HIV Infections in Children and Access to Treatment for Children and Adolescents Living with HIV by 2020.

PMTCT

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

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UNAIDS

UNICEF

WHO

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West and Central Africa

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Children

Infants

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Maternal, newborn and children health

Paediatric ARVs and formulations

Policy/Enabling Environment

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Meeting report

Year Tags

2019

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Dakar Call: Renewed Commitment

Appel de Dakar: Renouvellement d'Engagement

Apelo de Dakar: Renovação de Compromisso

The Latest Science on HIV and AIDS July - September 2018

Jessica R — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 20:06:01 +0000

The Latest Science on HIV and AIDS July - September 2018 Jessica R Wed, 09/19/2018 - 23:06

PMTCT

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

Adolescent Prevention

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Adolescent friendly services

Combination prevention

Paediatric ARVs and formulations

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Newsletter

Review

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2018

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Summary of Research Articles - Q3 2018

WHO Policy Brief: 2018 optimal formulary and limited-use list for paediatric ARVs

cmannikarottu — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 12:54:27 +0000

WHO Policy Brief: 2018 optimal formulary and limited-use list for paediatric ARVs cmannikarottu Tue, 08/07/2018 - 15:54

The WHO 2018 guideline update promotes the use of optimal treatment regimens in all populations. Though new, more effective and better tolerated options with a higher genetic barrier to resistance are now available for adults, optimized treatment options for children lag significantly behind.

This fifth edition of the Optimal Formulary and Limited-use List supports the transition to optimal WHO-recommended regimens for infants and children, while giving due consideration to the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and the risks inherent in the uncertain timelines for paediatric drug development.

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

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Paediatric ARVs and formulations

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Brief

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2018

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WHO Optimal Formulary and Limited-Use List (2018)

CSWG Policy Brief: Scaling up optimal antiretroviral treatment for children: A long overdue intervention

cmannikarottu — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:28:10 +0000

CSWG Policy Brief: Scaling up optimal antiretroviral treatment for children: A long overdue intervention cmannikarottu Thu, 07/26/2018 - 17:28

To achieve an AIDS-free generation, optimal treatment options for all infants and young children living with HIV must be available, tolerable and most importantly, effective. Since 2013, the WHO has recommended that all infants and children under three years initiate ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r)-based regimens. However, the transition to preferred pediatric regimens has been slow, and one-third of children remain on a sub-optimal regimen of zidovudine (AZT), lamivudine (3TC) and nevirapine (NVP).

Only 20 percent receive the WHO preferred regimen despite resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) becoming a major concern for infants and young children. While efavirenz (EFV) is increasingly used, NVP-based regimens are also very common in children older than three years. As a result, overall virological suppression reported in program settings continues to be sub-optimal and particularly poor in young children below five years.

This is part of a series of 12 policy briefs by the Child Survival Working Group on scaling up key interventions for children and adolescents living with HIV. Learn more.

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

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Paediatric ARVs and formulations

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Brief

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2018

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Scaling up optimal antiretroviral treatment for children: A long overdue intervention

Approaching 2020: Scaling up key interventions for children and adolescents living with HIV

cmannikarottu — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:21:17 +0000

Approaching 2020: Scaling up key interventions for children and adolescents living with HIV cmannikarottu Thu, 07/26/2018 - 17:21

Urgent and ambitious 2020 global targets are on the horizon, yet there has been insufficient progress in paediatric and adolescent HIV to date. Scaling up HIV services for all children and adolescents is needed, in alignment with the UNAIDS super-fast-track framework. It’s time to make sure that nobody is left behind.

This series of 12 policy briefs by the Child Survival Working Group (CSWG) looks at scaling up key interventions for children and adolescents living with HIV. They present evidence, policy and monitoring considerations, implementation guidance and tools necessary to scale up 12 key interventions which have proven successful in identifying, linking and supporting children and adolescents to access and remain in quality care and treatment.

They are designed for program managers in government and civil society programs, particularly at country-level, and provide practical information and direction.

Learn more in the Foreword and download the briefs below.

PMTCT

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

Adolescent Prevention

Organization Tag

Population Tags

Topic Tags

Adolescent friendly services

Adolescents living with HIV

ART and Treatment

Community engagement

Maternal, newborn and children health

Paediatric ARVs and formulations

Policy/Enabling Environment

Document Type Tags

Brief

Year Tags

2018

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Approaching 2020: Scaling up key interventions for children and adolescents living with HIV

The Latest Science on HIV/AIDS (July, 2018)

cmannikarottu — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 19:00:57 +0000

The Latest Science on HIV/AIDS (July, 2018) cmannikarottu Mon, 07/16/2018 - 22:00

PMTCT

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

Adolescent Prevention

Organization Tag

Population Tags

Topic Tags

Adolescent friendly services

ART and Treatment

Paediatric ARVs and formulations

Policy/Enabling Environment

Document Type Tags

Newsletter

Review

Year Tags

2018

Download file(s)

Research Summary - Q2 2018 Newsletter

Catalysing Paediatric HIV Early Diagnosis and Treatment within West and Central Africa Country Catch-up Plans: Report of the meeting at ICASA 2017 and Agenda for Action

cmannikarottu — Mon, 21 May 2018 14:31:09 +0000

Catalysing Paediatric HIV Early Diagnosis and Treatment within West and Central Africa Country Catch-up Plans: Report of the meeting at ICASA 2017 and Agenda for Action cmannikarottu Mon, 05/21/2018 - 17:31

The West and Central Africa Catch-up Plan provides a framework for political advocacy and accelerated action for countries to adapt and scale up effective approaches and innovations that will reduce inequity in access to HIV treatment. Twelve countries have adapted this regional initiative to their national contexts and developed country catch-up plans, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS and UNICEF.

At the 19th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), country representatives and partners took part in a meeting convened by UNICEF and UNAIDS to reflect on the shortfalls within West and Central Africa country catch-up plans and to agree on ways to sharpen acceleration strategies and interventions that will increase access to paediatric ART.

The meeting at ICASA had three high-level strategic objectives:

Call greater attention to the gap in paediatric HIV testing, including EID, and paediatric treatment within the West and Central African country catch-up plans
Define the priority actions for children in country catch-up plans in 2018, with a focus on: (a) expanding access to paediatric HIV testing through improved EID and rapid testing at other entry points; (b) improving immediate linkages to care and treatment; and (c) task-shifting to enable nurses within maternal, neonatal and child health facilities to treat children
Galvanize partnerships in support of country catch-up plans

More information can be found in this meeting report.

Paediatric and Adolescent Treatment

Organization Tag

UNAIDS

UNICEF

Region Tags

West and Central Africa

Population Tags

Adolescents

Children

Topic Tags

ART and Treatment