E-drug: Drug formulations suitable for use in children (cont'd)
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Reading Robert Ogenyi's posted message, regarding children
formulations, was such a relief and grief at the same time for me.
Relief - for the first time we hear, there are problems regarding
RATIONAL USE OF ARVs in Botswana. Those in the know are aware of what
I am talking about. Let me not go into it. Problems being faced in
that country could have been avoided if people were truthful about
being ready to roll out ARVs. Here is an example to illustrate that
issues regarding ARV UTILIZATION (WHO definition) cannot be looked at
in isolation.
Grief - it is sad that OLD, WEAK AND NOT TOO GOOD OF SIGHT are the
people administering ARVs to children, hence the adherence problem.
How much can you educate such a care giver? What are their
perceptions of and expectations from ARVs?
Let what is now being reported from Botswana be a lesson to all of us
i. The issue is not just about paediatric formulations but also drug
delivery systems and care givers.
The 3 x 5 strategy is going to be a public health disaster if not
implemented properly!
Norman Z. Nyazema
University of the North
South Africa
nznyazema@yahoo.com
[Details added by moderator]
[I believe the problem is not with educating care-givers of any age.
The problem is more with providing them with adequate and appropriate
support - financial, in kind and respite. In the article, 3 by 5,
but at what cost? by Wendy Holmes, Lancet, Volume 363, Number 9414,
27 March 2004, posted on e-drug, the issues of the need for correct
implementation of the 3x5 initiative were covered. BS]
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