The National Department of Health (NDOH) and Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) are to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, on Improving Access to Paediatric HIV Treatment in South Africa.
The purpose of this MoU is to define the collaboration between the NDoH and DNDi relating to the Project titled “Improving Treatment Options for Infants and Young Children with HIV/AIDS in South Africa”.
The objective of this project is to develop two 4-in-1 lopinavir based fixed dose combinations, as well as a solid formulation of ritonavir booster that are suitable for the management of young children infected with HIV, as well as young children co-infected with TB and HIV, and to perform clinical studies using new ARV formulations for infants and young children. The two parties will work together to sure availability and accessibility of the new formulations in South Africa.
A workshop on ‘Improving Access to Paediatric HIV Treatment in South Africa’ will be held immediately after the Signing Ceremony. The aim of the workshop is to encourage constructive engagement of Paediatric HIV stakeholders in South Africa in the field of Paediatric HIV treatment. And to raise awareness of the problems with treating HIV in children with current treatments (formulations, access, IP and regulatory barriers). The workshop, to be addressed by government, local and international experts, will discuss ways and means how to accelerate development and delivery of new treatments in South Africa.
The workshop will provide an overview of DNDi’s project and other prospects in pharmaceutical development. This will be followed by an interactive roundtable discussion involving stakeholders from various sectors working to ensure a more enabling Intellectual Property environment for paediatric HIV treatments.
Who: Director-General: Health, Ms P Matsoso and Executive Director: DNDi, Dr Bernard Pécoul.
Details of the media briefing are as follows:
Date: 8 April 2014
Time: 12H00 – 13H00
Venue: National Department of Health, Pretoria
NB. All sessions are open to media.
Enquiries:
Joe Maila, Ministry of Health: Spokesperson
Tel: 082 887 3581
Twitter: @mjmaila @HealthZA
Popo Maja
Cell: 072 585 3219/082 373 1169
