The Ministry of Health received this Tuesday (24) the first units of an unprecedented combination consisting of two medicines intended for the treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS.
The simplified dosage regimen with the antiretrovirals Dolutegravir 50mg + Lamivudine 300mg is provided by the Institute of Drug Technology (Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz) and promises greater ease and practicality in treating patients, since, according to experts, it is capable of inhibiting replication of the HIV virus and its ability to infect new cells.
Antiretrovirals are already offered separately by the SUS to patients with HIV. The Ministry of Health explained to the CNN that the incorporation of the so-called “dovato” – which is a combination of the two medicines – into the network has already been approved and distribution to the states is expected to begin by the end of 2023.
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“One of the most important challenges in treating people living with HIV or AIDS is adherence. The reduction in the number of tablets aims to improve this point”, said the ministry, in a note.
According to Fiocruz, which is the main distributor of antiretrovirals for the SUS, HIV treatment involved combinations of several drugs from different classes to effectively suppress the virus and slow the progression of the disease. A single daily dose of one tablet of this medication will guarantee effectiveness and help in the continuity of treatment, with less potential for serious adverse effects.
According to the institute, 10.8 million units of combined antiretroviral drugs are expected to be delivered to the SUS this year. For 2024, 30 million units were requested by the federal government.
“The supply of these combined medicines to the SUS will significantly contribute to the effectiveness and continuity of treatments in adult and adolescent patients over 12 years of age and weighing at least 40 kg. In addition to having a simpler dosage and reducing the burden of pills, it reduces the potential for drug interactions and side effects”, explained the director of Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz, Jorge Mendonça.
Dolutegravir 50 mg + Lamivudine 300 mg is the result of a technology transfer agreement signed in July 2020 between Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz and the private pharmaceutical companies ViiV Healthcare Company and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
The idea is to have autonomy for completely national production. Since May 2022, when the Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) granted Farmanguinhos’ petition, the institute became able to supply the demand for this medicine to the Ministry of Health.
“At the end of this technology transfer, Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz will have the autonomy to carry out all the production stages of the medicine, guaranteeing quality and practicality for SUS patients”, highlighted Mendonça.
Source: CNN Brasil
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