Janssen Announces Drug Donation Program for HIV Treatment-Experienced Children

Janssen reported a pediatric HIV treatment donation program to improve access to the company’s approved HIV medicines for children and adolescents failing HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. At the 17th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa, Ministries of Health (MOHs) in sub-Saharan Africa were invited to submit a formal Expression of Interest to participate in the charitable pediatric HIV treatment donation program.

Through this program, Janssen will donate its HIV medicines Prezista (darunavir) and Intelence (etravirine), including child-friendly formulations, free of charge to eligible countries with the clinical capacity and willingness to address second- and third-line pediatric HIV treatment. Each child enrolled will receive Janssen’s donated HIV medicines as needed until they turn 19 at which point they will be transitioned into the adult national HIV program or other designated by the national HIV program for continued treatment.

The donation program is intended to be a first step in a broader collaborative effort to build awareness, incite action, and advance learning around second- and third-line pediatric HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. Janssen is working with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM), and MAP International to fully maximize the impact and reach of this initiative.

The submission period for the Expression of Interest by country MOHs to participate in the drug donation initiative will run from Jan. 15, 2014 until Feb. 14, 2014. An independent, third-party review committee of international experts in pediatric HIV will review all applications to determine country eligibility to receive the donation.  Country approvals will be announced in March 2014. Countries interested in more information or submitting an Expression of Interest should visit: www.pedaids.org/treatmentdonation.

Source: Janssen