12 December 2024
Established in 1994 by a resolution of the UN Economic and Social Council and launched in January 1996, UNAIDS is guided by a Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) with representatives of 22 governments from all geographic regions, the UNAIDS Cosponsors, and five representatives of nongovernmental organisations, including associations of people living with HIV.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), USAID and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) prepared a statement on behalf of the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f), which was delivered by Rhoda Igweta of EGPAF at the 55th UNAIDS PCB taking place from 10-12 December.
Statement as submitted, delivered by Rhoda Igweta of EGPAF on behalf of the GAP-f network.
Despite significant progress in scaling up HIV services for children, the treatment gap remains a pressing concern. Children face lower rates of viral suppression than adults, leading to disproportionately high mortality and morbidity.
Addressing delays in developing and introducing optimal formulations for children is critical.
The partners of the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations (GAP-f), a WHO- hosted network, are committed to closing this gap by collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders across the drug life cycle. The timely transition to optimal formulations, namely paediatric ALD, a fixed-dose, child-friendly regimen in a single dispersible tablet and darunavir/ritonavir oral tablets, is essential to provide children with the best possible treatment and improve adherence.
To accelerate and sustain the introduction and rollout of paediatric ALD and prepare for the introduction of darunavir/ritonavir as a second-line option for eligible children living with HIV, GAP-f has established a dedicated task team. This forum contributes to coordination efforts among donors, implementing partners, pooled procurement agencies, civil society, technical agencies, and other global health partners to support governments in addressing the paediatric treatment gap.
This month marks a breakthrough as a generic manufacturer received USFDA tentative approval for paediatric ALD, bringing the total to four SRA-approved or prequalified MPP-licensed generic manufacturers. This milestone is particularly significant given the persistent challenges with the supply of paediatric HIV products.
If we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, we cannot afford to fail children and adolescents. We can build on this experience to accelerate the introduction of other essential treatments for children and use this platform to achieve better health outcomes.
Every delay in diagnosis and treatment is a missed opportunity to save lives and reduce inequalities.
Press and Media
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to and facilitate the development of life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 22 patent holders for 13 HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, a cancer treatment, four long-acting technologies, a post-partum haemorrhage medicine, three oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and 16 COVID-19 technologies.
MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder. MPP’s work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Government of Canada, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of Flanders. MPP’s activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and SDC.