Generic antiretroviral drugs in developing countries: friends or foes?

AIDS. 2014 Feb 20;28(4):607-9. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000000170.

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 mg; 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.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Congo
  • Developing Countries
  • Drugs, Generic / pharmacokinetics*
  • Drugs, Generic / therapeutic use*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lopinavir / pharmacokinetics
  • Lopinavir / therapeutic use
  • Ritonavir / pharmacokinetics
  • Ritonavir / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Drugs, Generic
  • Lopinavir
  • Ritonavir