Wellington, Jan 18 NZPA - A once-a-day treatment for HIV patients has been approved by Medsafe.

The Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) tablet has been registered by Medsafe for once-daily as well as twice-daily use by the patients in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Medsafe's approval, which was given in November last year, gives doctors another option when deciding on the most appropriate dosing regimen.

The drug has had seven years of clinical data demonstrating that a standard regimen provided durable, effective antiviral response to HIV.

Dr Mark Thomas, an Auckland infectious disease specialist, said most patients preferred to take pills fewer times a day if possible.

"Depending on the patient's current treatment plan, the move to a once-a-day treatment can mean an increase in the reliability of pill-taking, which is extremely important for effective treatment," he said.

"Ease of adherence for the patient improves treatment and also affects quality of life."

Bruce Kilmister, chief executive officer of Body Positive, also welcomed the Medsafe registration.

"The once-a-day dosing regimen has been long-awaited because the biggest fear of anyone with HIV is missing doses and return of viral load," said Mr Kilmister.

The Kaletra tablet can be taken with or without food and does not require refrigeration -- two important advances in delivering HIV medicine.

In New Zealand, nearly 2000 people have been diagnosed with the HIV virus and that number continues to grow.