Napo Pharmaceuticals

market

HIV-related diarrhea in developing countries (product: CRO-HIV)

HIV/AIDS patients historically have suffered tremendously from parasitic and infectious diarrhea. This problem is dramatically exacerbated in the developing world, home to multiple infectious agents, compromised hygiene and poor water quality.

Over 40 million people today are infected with the HIV virus. For example in Sub-Saharan Africa around 40% of this population are managing chronic diarrhea. In many resource-constrained areas, over one-third die of diarrhea or the complications of dehydration and malnourishment associated with chronic diarrhea.

A number of organizations are targeting several million people with HIV/AIDS in developing countries who are on ARV therapy -- funds are being allocated to the supportive medicines necessary to allow ARV therapy programs to be successful. These organizations include:

• The Global Fund for AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis
• The US government's President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
• The Clinton Foundation's HIV/AIDS initiative www.napopharma.com/news/pediatric_formulation.html

As the developing world is able to adopt and embrace successful pilot programs for the delivery of healthcare and life-saving medicines for HIV/AIDS patients, diarrhea can:

• Cause dehydration
• Inhibit weight gain
• Impair ability to resume work/activities
• Compromise adherence to drug regimens
• Lead to the concomitant emergence of resistant HIV viral strains

In resource-constrained areas, diarrhea is reported to be one of the primary killers in HIV-infected children under 2 years of age. If such children are fortunate enough to be offered ARV, the intractable diarrhea often renders them untreatable, as the medicine is not absorbed appropriately due to rapid transit times. As such, diarrhea becomes an important factor when determining further HIV therapy.