TNN

Mumbai, Aug 12: The Bill Clinton Foundation has bought huge quantities of paediatric antiretroviral formulations from Mumbai-based Cipla for distribution in 62 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Together, these countries represent more than 90% of children living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Some 4.3 million children under 15 have died worldwide as a result of AIDS.

Last year, over six lakh children were newly-infected with HIV, and more than 1,600 are infected every day, according to recent estimates. Confirming the development, Amar Lulla, Cipla's joint MD, said, "Since we are the only firm to have developed a paediatric dosage form of the AIDS drug, the Clinton Foundation has taken advantage of the generic version and included it in its distribution network."

Children are an afterthought when it comes to producing appropriate formulations of medicines. Of the 22 anti retrovirals approved by the US Food and Drug Administration till last year, eight are not approved for use in children and nine are not available in paediatric formulation.

Cipla's child-friendly drug is a three-in-one tablet that replaces individual solutions, for less than $60 per year, or 16 cents per day, per child. Given that many current AIDS drugs are made only in dosages and formats appropriate for adults, the new generic drug has been made specifically for easy administration to children.

The drug needs no refrigeration, which is an advantage in underdeveloped countries lacking electricity, and can be split in half and dissolved fully in water, making it suitable for use even in children too young to swallow pills. The dosing depends on the child's weight.