HIV in India — The Challenges Ahead

Abstract

On April 1, 2007, India will launch a new phase of its National AIDS Control Program (NACP). Its goals include reducing the number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections currently, an estimated 98.5 to 99.5% of India's 1.1 billion people remain uninfected improving treatment, and providing therapy to more people. Although prevention will account for a smaller percentage of the total NACP resources than at present, it will remain the focus of India's AIDS control strategy. The components of the strategy are similar to those in other South Asian countries and include intensive prevention efforts directed at the high-risk groups of commercial sex workers, injection-drug users, and men who have sex with men, as well as 'bridge populations' such as truckers and migrant workers. In scaling up treatment, India's domestic pharmaceutical industry has a critical role. A paradox is that Indian companies have become major suppliers of low-cost generic antiretroviral medications to low- and middle-income countries in Africa and elsewhere at a time when there are still major unmet needs for HIV treatment in India. Cipla, a company based in Mumbai, manufactures the largest range of HIV drugs and has the largest market share. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)