More than a dozen activists took the stage at a symposium at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City yesterday to protest the drugmaker's recent decision to end distribution of a pediatric formulation of efavirenz, or Sustiva/Stocrin. At the 100 mg dose, the med works well in children, who will now change regimens or take more or larger pills, which is difficult for children, in particular, the activists maintain.
Here are statements from ACT-UP Paris (in French), Sidaction, TRT-5 and the European AIDS Treatment group. They claim the move has already caused stock outs in several countries.
UPDATE: A Bristol-Myers spokesman sends this statement: "Our decision was based on the limited use of Sustiva 100 mg capsules and the availability of alternative dosage formulations to meet the needs of pediatric patients and any patients requiring a dosage adjustment...
"The 100 mg capsules can be substituted by two 50 mg capsules. This reflects current physician prescribing patterns for SUSTIVA in pediatric patients who require lower strength and/or smaller capsules or other patients who require a dosage adjustment." He adds Sustiva is available in other dosages and as an oral solution.