The Hindu Business Line : Cipla, Ranbaxy working on anti-AIDS drugs for kids

AS children succumb to HIV/AIDS, pharmaceutical companies worldwide have had agencies knock at their conscience for an easily accessible, affordable and administrable version of the AIDS medicine for children.

Cipla and Ranbaxy, which have played a significant role in the generic AIDS drugs segment - albeit for adults - are now developing chemically similar paediatric dosage forms of anti-AIDS medicines, executives with both companies confirmed to Business Line.

Cipla is working on developing a dosage of triomune that can be given to children and babies, said Mr Amar Lulla, Joint Managing Director.

On when the drug would actually hit the market, Mr Lulla said that it would depend on the clinical trials, which are being done outside India.

Though anti-AIDS drugs are available for children in the global market, they are expensive, not easily accessible and difficult to administer, according to a representative with a global health-related advocacy firm. Globally, 5.1 lakh children below 15 have died of HIV/AIDS in 2004, according to UNAIDS data for 2004.

An estimated 22 lakh children below 15 are living with HIV, the multi-lateral agency report said.

MNCs like GlaxoSmithKline do have paediatric forms of their anti-AIDS drugs in the market.

But global welfare organisations said that they are looking at Indian generic companies to develop affordable and easily administrable versions of the paediatric drug.

About three years ago, Cipla had played a significant role in driving anti-AIDS drugs prices down in Africa by offering generic versions of the drugs at one-thirtieth of the original cost.

Ranbaxy is looking to scale up its production of the paediatric dosage of the drug.

The company has paediatric dosages of lamivudine, zidovudine and nevirapine available in the Indian and Nigerian markets.

These are available in liquid or powder form. Ranbaxy is now looking to make these drugs more accessible, said a company spokesperson.

Elaborating on the technical difficulties in making an anti-AIDS drug dosage for children, he said that the medicine strength is standard for adults but varies for children depending on body weight.

"Different children have different weights at different ages. In the past, organisations working in the segment powdered the AIDS drugs given to adults and gave it to the children. The process of making a dosage for children is expensive and companies don't find it feasible."

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