“New research suggests that some AIDS patients [in Africa] are developing drug intolerance and severe side effects and will now have to switch to new, more expensive antiretroviral regimens,” Inter Press Service reports. “Researchers in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria and Malawi say some patients on the first-line antiretroviral drugs nevirapine and efavirenz (EFZ) are showing signs of being intolerant to the two drugs,” the news service writes, noting they reported their findings at the 17th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa taking place in Cape Town, South Africa. “The challenge of paying for this expanded treatment coverage is complicated by the possibility that some patients will need different medication,” IPS writes, adding, “Further research to determine both the causes and extent of drug intolerance is called for” (Banda, 12/9).