Why is NIAID deeply concerned about the consequences of the distortion of facts that has resulted from the recent publicity about the HIVNET 012 trial conducted in Uganda?
As a result of distortions of facts resulting from the recent press reports concerning nevirapine and the HIVNET 012 trial, there is a real possibility that physicians and health care providers in developing countries will not use the lifesaving single-dose nevirapine regimen to block mother-to-infant transmission of HIV in situations where there are no other options, such as multiple drug antiviral treatments. NIAID stands by the results of HIVNET 012 and the safety and efficacy of single-dose nevirapine to prevent mother-to-infant transmission of HIV. Furthermore, as stated in the IOM report of April 2005, the results of the HIVNET 012 study “…can be relied upon for scientific and policy-making purposes.” This lifesaving approach is also endorsed by multiple groups, including: World Health Organization Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Global Strategies for HIV Prevention Project Inform It is conceivable that thousands of babies will become infected with HIV and die if singl
