UNICEF/WHO Technical Consultation: Improving Access to Appropriate Paediatric ARV Formulations

In 2003, more than 5 million people were newly infected with HIV – as many as 700,000 (13%) of them were children. Six hundred and thirty thousand (95%) of these new infections were caused through mother-to-child transmission, and 90% of the infected children live in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS case reporting is unreliable, however it is estimated that 500,000 children are currently in need of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) world wide. In 2003 some 490,000 child deaths under age 14 were due to AIDS, and an estimated 17% of all AIDS deaths were among children. There are 7 countries where AIDS accounts for more than 10% of the under five mortality.

The best way to address paediatric HIV infection is to significantly reduce the proportion of children acquiring infection as has happened in most developed countries to date.

UNICEF and WHO convened a meeting of technical experts to urgently identify ways and mechanisms to overcome the key obstacles to access of appropriate, acceptable, and affordable ARV formulations for children.