South African National Aids Council hosts discussion on paediatric HIV in Midrand
MIDRAND – SANAC and Cipla held discussions on the progress made in medication for HIV locally.
The South African National Aids Council (Sanac) in partnership with pharmaceuticals company Cipla, ahead of Aids Awareness Month in December, held a discussion in Midrand on the status of paediatric HIV in South Africa.
The dialogue on 6 November was hosted under the theme: Re-energising efforts towards the management of paediatric HIV treatment in South Africa. It focused on updates on the status of HIV treatment for children, and how numbers were coming along in terms of infections and the response thereof.
Acting chief director for the child, youth and school health programme at the National Department of Health, Dr Lesley Bamford gave a brief presentation on updates, approaches and a highlight of the gaps in paediatric HIV treatment in the country.
Bamford reflected on last year’s key changes to the HIV treatment guidelines. One of these that was made in last year’s antiretroviral therapy clinical guidelines was the introduction of Dolutegravir, a medication for children weighing more than 20kg. She stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic had caused a halt in their plans to track young children infected by the virus.
“We have not been able to track as closely the extent to which the new testing guidelines are being implemented. The real changes are that all HIV-exposed infants should be tested at six months and it should be universal that rapid tests are offered to all infants aged 18 months, regardless of exposure.”
Bamford explained how difficult it was to identify affected children, also pointing out the lack of focus on affected children being one of the reasons their processes were slow compared to in adults.
Dr Precious Garnett, the marketing manager and medical advisor in infectious disease and vaccines for Cipla said, “There are definitely challenges with the two existing formulations, which is why Cipla has brought in a formulation called oral pellets [Lopimune]. This formulation is trying to solve the syrup and tablet problem. These pellets can be stored anywhere, not necessarily to be kept refrigerated. The pellets are more palatable, parents are able to open the capsules and the powder can be mixed with food or liquid.”
Garnett concluded that in the coming months they would be launching a fixed-dose combination of medication so children could get a fixed dosage along with the pellets.
Details: Sanac 012 748 1000.
