Christian Science Monitor Examines Possible Improper Distribution of AIDS Drugs by Private Doctors in Developing Countries

The Christian Science Monitor on Tuesday examined the possibility that "many" private doctors in developing countries -- some of whom do not have training in HIV/AIDS care -- are improperly prescribing combination antiretroviral drug regimens, inappropriately monitoring patients for potentially life-threatening side effects or failing to provide accurate information about the importance of long-term medication adherence. Although funding from the five-year, $15 billion President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has been "focus[ed]" on treatment centers run by governments or nongovernmental organizations, "little" attention has been paid to the "burgeoning distribution of drugs by private doctors," according to the Monitor. Critics say that the "therapeutic anarchy" practiced by some private doctors endangers patients' health and the long-term successes of "growing efforts" to bring antiretroviral treatment to developing countries, according to the Monitor (Itano, Christian Science Monitor, 2/22).