World Health Organization (WHO) expert advisors have determined that a smaller number of streamlined choices for second-line antiretroviral medications should be prioritized in resource-limited settings in order to make programs run more smoothly, speed up drug approvals and lower the costs of the drugs, reports Aidsmap.com (aidsmap.com, 1/31).

The WHO panel recommends that two nucleoside analogues be prioritized when possible: tenofovir plus 3TC or FTC, or abacavir plus didanosine (ddI). It recommends that two protease inhibitors, lopinavir or atazanavir, be used over others.

According to the Aidsmap.com article, the decision to recommend a smaller range of second-line drug choices comes partly in response to concerns from national treatment programs about the potentially large number of drugs they might have to approve as part of their national formularies. Also, a smaller number of recommended drug choices could help lower prices by raising the demand for those medications around the world.