Subject: Thailand: HIV-positive mums to get drug boost: Trials Show New Regimen Saves Money, Reduces Mother-To-Child Transmission

HIV-positive mums to get drug boost: Trials Show New Regimen Saves Money, Reduces Mother-To-Child Transmission

Bangkok Post - November 8, 2009
Apiradee Treerutkuarkul

http://www.aegis.org/news/bp/2009/BP091102.html

A new treatment programme for HIV-positive mothers will be introduced to the universal healthcare scheme to reduce mother-to-child transmission.

The treatment is based on a recent study which found a combined anti-retroviral drug treatment is more effective in reducing the numbers of HIV-positive mothers developing Aids and also better reduces perinatal HIV transmission compared to that currently in use.

The two combinative drugs are also cheaper than the current treatment programme, according to the latest study by the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Programme.

The research was undertaken among pregnant women in Nakhon Sawan, Sa Kaew, Satun and Si Sa Ket provinces between May 1 and Aug 31.

"The study result shows the current treatment programme is the most expensive compared to the studied regimens in terms of overall cost of Aids prevention for mother-to-child transmission," said Vichai Chokewiwat, chairman of the National Health Security Office's sub-committee on the development of health care for people living with HIV/Aids.

The new treatment programme will be adopted for use with the universal healthcare scheme by October next year following the study recommendation, he said.

"This study is good news. HIV-positive mothers will be able to receive treatment that reduces the problem of drug resistance in the current regime," said Manoon Leechawengwong, president of the Thai Aids Society.

He has repeatedly called on the Public Health Ministry's Department of Health to improve the national Aids treatment guidelines for pregnant women by replacing the current drug regimes.

He claimed international studies showed the new regimens are safe and better reduced the level of drug resistance among HIV-positive mothers after giving birth.

Of 800,000 pregnant women each year, about 8,000 are found to be HIV positive, the Public Health Ministry reports.

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