Pharmaceutical company AbbVie has reached an agreement with Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) that will allow for the generic production of HIV meds lopinavir (known as the brand name Kaletra) and ritonavir (Norvir) for use in pediatric treatments in low- and middle-income countries, according to an MPP press release. The agreement allows other companies to manufacture and reformulate the two drugs.
This is a crucial license for pediatric programs in resource-limited countries, said Greg Perry, executive director of MPP, in the release. “[Lopinavir and ritonavir] in its current form is not suitable for those most vulnerable, infants and toddlers living with HIV. Now, MPP and its partners have the green light to speed the development and distribution of new formulations for young children, the vast majority of whom have no access to HIV therapy.”
More than 90 percent of the world’s 3.2 million HIV-positive children live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa.
MPP is a United Nations-backed group with the goal of increasing global access to HIV treatment.
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