Concern over uncontrolled use of HIV drugs

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Concern over uncontrolled use of HIV drugs

Antiretroviral treatment in developing countries: the peril of neglecting

private providers BMJ Volume 326, pp 1382-4

Uncontrolled use of antiretroviral drugs in developing countries could

accelerate HIV resistance, warn researchers in this week's BMJ.

Most people in developing countries who suspect they have a sexually

transmitted infection seek care in the private sector because of the stigma

attached, and evidence of uncontrolled use is already emerging among largely

unregulated private providers, says Ruairi Brugha of the London School of

Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

These treatment practices will accelerate HIV resistance, so it is important

to take account of private providers and regulate their behaviour. Unless

treatment is properly controlled, these drugs could rapidly become useless.

" The goal of an AIDS-free world is too important to risk failure through

ideological disputes over public or private sector approaches at the local

or global level. Each can learn from the other, and the state should be the

guarantor of quality, wherever people seek care, " he concludes.

Three other articles in this week's BMJ explore the issues surrounding HIV.

The first recommends a " back to basics " approach to preventing HIV, while in

the second, a researcher in child health and former Ugandan government peace

minister assess how to make the best use of resources to care for orphans of

AIDS in Africa. The final article discusses 10 important lessons from Africa

that could limit the spread of HIV in India.

" The behaviour that surrounds implementation of prevention strategies must

be overcome, " says Arthur Ammann, President of Global Strategies for HIV

Prevention, in an accompanying editorial. " We know how to prevent every

method of HIV transmission but without more extensive progress, we are

deluding ourselves into thinking that the epidemic can be controlled, " he co

ncludes.

Contact: Emma Dickinson

edickinson@...

44-207-383-6529

BMJ-British Medical Journal

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