Abbott Receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approval for New Lower-Strength Kaletra(R) (lopinavir/ritonavir) Tablet for Pediatric HI...( making these medicinesmore affordable t...),Health

Abbott and the Abbott Fund are investing more than $100 million in developing countries through the Abbott Global AIDS Care programs focusing on four areas: strengthening health care systems; helping children affected by HIV/AIDS; preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV; and expanding access to testing and treatment. Abbott and Abbott Fund have also announced several efforts to expand access to treatment and care for children living with HIV/AIDS, including an additional investment of $12 million in grants and product donations this year.

Background on HIV in Children

According to the WHO, an estimated 2.3 million children under the age of 15 worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS in 2006; a vast majority -- 2 million children with HIV/AIDS -- was living in Africa. Based on 2004 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data for 33 states, an estimated 3,336 children under the age of 13 were living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. While the number of pediatric AIDS cases has decreased overall in the U.S., the risk among African-American and Hispanic infants and children is of special concern. Among U.S. children living with AIDS, 63 percent are African-American, 21.6 percent are Hispanic, and 14.2 percent are Caucasian. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the WHO recommend lopinavir/ritonavir for the treatment of children with HIV.

Indication

KALETRA(R) (lopinavir/ritonavir) is a human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitor. KALETRA is always used in combination with other anti-HIV-1 medicines for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. KALETRA is a combination of two medicines, lopinavir and ritonavir. KALETRA is for adults and for children age 6 months and older.

Important Safety Information

KALETRA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and does not reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others.

KALETRA must not b
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