WHO and other stakeholders join forces to accelerate access to pediatric HIV and tuberculosis diagnostics and medicines

On World Children’s Day, the WHO is pleased to issue a call inviting stakeholders to accelerate access to effective pediatric HIV and tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics and medications.

The Action plan, launched today, was developed by a broad group of stakeholders under the auspices of the Fifth Vatican High-Level Dialogue on Children’s HIV and TB in Children Living with HIV held earlier this month.

Children are one of the most vulnerable populations in response to HIV and AIDS and TB. In 2019, there were 95,000 AIDS-related deaths in children, two-thirds of those deaths in 21 focus countries. 850,000 children living with HIV did not receive treatment, of which 65% were aged 5 to 14 years. These children are also particularly susceptible to co-infection with tuberculosis, the leading cause of AIDS-related death in this population. It is estimated that in 2019, 36,000 children living with HIV died from TB.

There are several challenges hampering the rapid development of pediatric formulations, including a lack of pediatric data for new drugs, delays in completing clinical studies, taste challenges, and slow market introduction. In addition, high prices of diagnostic products, limited availability and availability of new technical interventions and case finding, as well as fragmented and delayed regulatory approvals, are some of the challenges facing finding appropriate diagnostics for children. Overall, this delays and affects the acceptance of basic services for diagnosing and treating children with HIV and TB.

The plan agreed by the High-Level Dialogue participants includes promises to accelerate the development of new infant formulations for HIV and TB; improved diagnostic devices and tests for children with TB; and lower costs of early diagnosis of HIV in newborns.

Researchers and pharmaceutical companies have pledged to continue and expand their collaboration in research and development of better drugs for children. Regulators have committed to working to ease regulatory pathways for priority pediatric TB and HIV drugs. Government officials reaffirmed their support for improving widely available new tests and optimal pediatric medications. Policymakers have committed to continuing to update their normative work to record new developments and support prioritization of drug research and development and diagnostics. Finally, key donors expressed their commitment by continuing and expanding their investments to support the development of better formulations for children.

The high-level Dialogue was organized by the WHO and the Elizabeth Glaser Children’s Aid Foundation, as co-chairs of the AIDS working group of the Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free framework, as well as the US President’s AIDS Plan (PEPFAR) , UNAIDS, representatives of religious organizations and the Stop TB partnership. Participants were leaders of major diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies, multilateral organizations, governments, regulators, religious organizations, and service providers for children and adolescents living with HIV and TB.

The High Level Dialogue 2020 is a reminder of the challenges that exist, but also highlights the opportunities we can take advantage of when working together. WHO remains committed to working with its partners to ensure progress in creating a generation without movement, staying free and free of AIDS, and achieving the goals contained in the political declaration. UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on TB and TKO Complete the TB strategy.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the power of collaboration and partnership to accelerate action. The WHO Global HIV Program recognizes this Action Plan as a roadmap for resetting the speed with which innovation in drugs and diagnostics can lead to children. We are proud to commit to developing norms and standards, policies and research programs on this path to success, ”said Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of the World Program on HIV, Hepatitis and STIs.