Is the Government of India planning to introduce Antiretroviral therapy free of cost in Govt. hospitals? Who will be eligible for the supply of drugs?

Ans. Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare convened a dialogue with the manufacturers of anti retrovirals for HIV/AIDS, with a view to examining the feasibility of procuring and delivering ARVs through the public health system. Resultantly, a Working Group was constituted, chaired by Secretary Health, with the Director General Health Services and Additional Secretary & Project Director NACO as Members, together with CII, FICCI, and representatives of the different manufacturers of anti retrovirals. The Working Group has completed its deliberations. If government does proceed to introduce antiretrovirals through the public health system, these will be delivered free of cost to the end consumer, in government hospitals. While we estimate over 4.58 million people living with HIV/ AIDS at end December, 2002, we necessarily have to prioritise the beneficiary population.  more