1. Generic antiretroviral drugs in developing countries: friends or foes?
- Author
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Zucman D, Camara S, Gravisse J, Dimi S, Vasse M, Goudjo A, Choquet M, and Peytavin G
- Subjects
- Congo, Developing Countries, Humans, Lopinavir pharmacokinetics, Lopinavir therapeutic use, Ritonavir pharmacokinetics, Ritonavir therapeutic use, Treatment Outcome, Anti-Retroviral Agents pharmacokinetics, Anti-Retroviral Agents therapeutic use, Drugs, Generic pharmacokinetics, Drugs, Generic therapeutic use, HIV Infections drug therapy
- Abstract
Although second-line generic antiretroviral drugs are of great value in developing countries, there are concerns regarding their quality. We studied a generic Lopinavir/ritonavir (200/50 âmg; Arga-L, India) marketed in the Republic of Congo but not prequalified by WHO. Despite adequate quantitative and qualitative drug content, Arga-L had a bio-availablility of 10% compared with Kaletra. To avoid selection of drug-resistant HIV, rigorous pharmacological monitoring of generic drugs not prequalified by WHO must be a priority.
- Published
- 2014
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