Action against HIV drug resistance
The ability of HIV to mutate and reproduce itself in the presence of antiretroviral drugs is called HIV drug resistance. The consequences of HIV drug resistance include treatment failure and further spread of drug resistant HIV.
In 2019, an estimated 67% of people living with HIV globally received antiretroviral treatment. Up to 26% of people initiating treatment are infected with a virus carrying resistance to first-line drugs. Very high levels of HIV drug resistance – up to 69% – are seen in infants born to mothers infected with HIV.
The WHO Global action plan on drug resistance outlines key actions to monitor and respond to HIV drug resistance. The key actions are:
Prevention and response: implement high-impact interventions to prevent and respond to HIV drug resistance, monitoring HIV care service delivery, and strategies to ensure uninterrupted drug supplies.
Monitoring and surveillance: obtain quality data on HIV drug resistance and HIV service delivery from periodic surveys while expanding routine viral load and HIV drug resistance testing.
Research and innovation: encourage relevant and innovative research that will have the greatest public health impact in minimizing HIV drug resistance.
Laboratory capacity: support and expand use of viral load testing and build capacity to monitor HIV drug resistance.
Governance and enabling mechanisms: ensure country ownership, coordinated action, advocacy and sustainable funding are in place to support action on HIV drug resistance.
