| FLAVORx Inc has recently wrapped up studies
to provide palatable solutions to combat the bitter taste
of antiretroviral HIV and AIDS medications. Because taste
plays a crucial role in medicinal compliance, the design of
a liquid medication that children can actually swallow allows
these young patients to receive the live-saving treatment
they need. Due to its success with patients in Thailand and
the Dominican Republic, FLAVORx has submitted the manuscript
to the CDC, the Clinton Foundation and the Clinical Infectious
Diseases Journal.
 Bethesda,
MD (PRWEB) March 7, 2006 - FLAVORx, Inc, the company
that sets the gold standard in developing scientifically tested
medicinal flavorings has expanded its pharmaceutical repertoire
to include antiretroviral medications used to treat patients
with HIV and AIDS. The company will use its proprietary taste
masking agents to improve the existing taste of these medications
to increase adherence to drugs and, as a result of improved
treatment, lengthen lives. According to Doctors Without Borders,
an international medical humanitarian organization, efforts
to treat children with HIV and AIDS are hampered by foul-tasting
medications. Regardless of a child’s obedience or willingness,
in some cases the intolerable taste of a medication will illicit
a biological and uncontrollable response that forces rejection
of the medication. Many children that are HIV positive do
not understand why they must endure a horrible tasting medication
when they don’t feel bad. Alternatively, caretakers
realize the importance of a life-saving antiretroviral medication
but find it extremely difficult to administer to children.
This illustrates the point that taste alone can impede a child
from receiving treatment necessary for his/her survival.
The World Health Organization estimated that at the end of
2005, 2.3 million children around the world were living with
HIV. Of the 3.1 million people who died of AIDS last year,
over half a million were children aged below 15 years. These
statistics are a sobering reflection of the impact of HIV
and AIDS on young lives. During 2005, it is estimated that
700,000 children globally were newly infected with HIV. More
than 80% of infections occurred in Africa, with countries
in Asia and the Caribbean also seeing an increase in HIV infection
numbers among children. Sadly, global child mortality rates
show that 25% of newborns infected with HIV die before the
age of one, up to 60% die before reaching their second birthday,
and most die before they hit the age of five. However, as
reported by the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, these
numbers are markedly different in higher-income countries,
with children having access to a wide range of treatment options
and often surviving into adulthood. Accordingly, with the
proper treatment and resources available in lower-income countries,
the world may be able to avoid high rates of infection and
death. Critical medications are essential to health and survival.
Zidovudine (Retrovir), an antiretroviral medication manufactured
by both GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and Cipla Pharmaceuticals, was
the first drug approved to treat HIV infection, and is commonly
recommended for treatment of symptomatic children. The taste
is regarded as bitter and metallic, unbearable to the point
that some actually stop taking the medication. The consequences
of this non-compliance can be life-threatening.
Children have up to 10 times the amount of taste buds as
adults, making them much more sensitive to bitter tastes.
As reported by Duke University doctors Susan Schiffman and
Jennifer Zervakis, the reason why patients fail to take life
saving drugs as prescribed may largely be attributed to taste.
The HIV-Netherlands Amsterdam Thailand Research Collaboration
recently completed clinical trials with FLAVORx on major antiretroviral
medications used for pediatric treatment in Thailand. With
each medication and flavor combination tested for safety and
effectiveness, FLAVORx developed successful formulations to
mask the taste of antiretroviral medications. “The results
were extremely positive,” said Kenny Kramm, CEO of FLAVORx,
Inc. “We had 100% compliant and much happier pediatric
patients who were able to take the proper dosages and follow
drug regimens successfully.” The manuscripts have been
submitted to the CDC, the Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal
and the Clinton Foundation for publishing as a recommendation
that flavoring be used in all parts of the world to help HIV-infected
children live happier, less traumatic lives. The report also
asks for assistance to support impoverished countries.
Based on the experience and data collection from Thailand,
FLAVORx is currently working on expanded clinical trials in
the Dominican Republic before offering its solution to HIV
and AIDS afflicted children in all areas of the world. Dr.
Consuela Beck-Sague of the Centro de Familia AIDS Clinic in
La Romana noted, “FLAVORx is used to help alleviate
much of the trauma associated with children that are on current
HIV-ARV medications. It is a huge help to patients and clinicians.”
The FLAVORx FDA-approved flavors and formulary will soon
be offered in cooperation with the Clinton Foundation to help
children worldwide. If you have worked with children suffering
from HIV/AIDS, see how your experience compares to others
by taking this short survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=64541861562
For more information, please contact Teresa Chen at 800.884.5771,
extension 234.
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