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Challenges and Opportunities in the Development of HIV Medications in Pediatric Patients

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Abstract

Successful management of pediatric HIV disease requires high therapeutic efficacy and adherence, which can be achieved by providing affordable, easy to store, and palatable antiretrovirals. Current challenges in pediatric antiretroviral drug development include poor palatability, large pill size, limited oral liquid formulations, and few incentives for development by drug manufacturers as the number of children with HIV continues to decline due to successful worldwide preventive interventions and improved access to antiretrovirals. This article summarizes the various challenges and opportunities with current pediatric antiretrovirals, recent and ongoing trials, new formulations, and suggestions that may expedite and provide incentives for the development of suitable pediatric formulations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children’s National Health System, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, 20310, DC, USA

    Gueorgui Dubrocq & Natella Rakhmanina

  2. Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA

    Gueorgui Dubrocq & Natella Rakhmanina

  3. Office of HIV/AIDS, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA

    B. Ryan Phelps

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  1. Gueorgui Dubrocq
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Correspondence to Gueorgui Dubrocq.

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B.R. Phelps, N. Rakhmanina, and G. Dubrocq have no conflicts of interest that are directly related to the content of this article.

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Dubrocq, G., Rakhmanina, N. & Phelps, B.R. Challenges and Opportunities in the Development of HIV Medications in Pediatric Patients. Pediatr Drugs 19, 91–98 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40272-016-0210-4

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