| Summary: | The guidelines identify the most potent, effective and feasible first-line, second-line and subsequent treatment regimens, applicable to the majority of populations, the optimal timing of ART initiation and improved criteria for ART switching, and introduce the concept of third-line antiretroviral regimens. The primary audiences are national treatment advisory boards, partners implementing HIV care and treatment, and organizations providing technical and financial support to HIV care and treatment programmes in resource-limited settings. It is critical that national ART programme and public health leaders consider these recommendations in the context of countries' HIV epidemics, the strengths and weaknesses of health systems, and the availability of financial, human and other essential resources. In adapting these guidelines, care must be exercised to avoid undermining current treatment programmes, to protect access for the most at-risk populations, to achieve the greatest impact for the greatest number of people and to ensure sustainability. It is similarly important to ensure that the adaptation of these guidelines do not stifle ongoing or planned research, since the new recommendations reflect the current state of knowledge and new information for sustainability and future modifications of existing guidelines will be needed
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