Re: Indian Low Cost Generics ARVs Save Millions Globally

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Ref: Dr. Gilada's posting. HIV Management and Low Cost Generics Save Millions

Globally.

This is just great. Except that the Indian low cost generics are not being

utilized for the people of India itself. According to the latest numbers, nearly

500,000 people need treatment now in India and only about 40,000 have access, at

least in the public sector.

Why would this be?

Generics from India were being sold around the world, before any poor Indians

even had access to them.

Stern

San , Costa Rica

e-mail: rastern@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr. Stern and other Forum Members,

Thanks for the posting, pointing out that most of the HIV infected

people from India; who are eligible for ART are unable to access it. Though such

statements were true a couple of years back, now the reality is fast changing

for the better. While making estimates/guestimates on such crucial issues the

following points must be taken into consideration.

1) How may people are infected with HIV in India - the most realistic figures-?

... 5.3 million as per NACO, 5.7 million as per UNAIDS or upto 10 million as per

some other estimates including that of PHO?

2) Of those infected with HIV, how many are aware about their HIV status?

I believe, not more than 20% of them are aware of their HIV status. This is upro

10% low in northen part and may be 25-30% in southern part of the country. This

brings the figure to 1 to 2 million HIV +ve people, aware of their status.

3) Of those HIV+ve people who are aware of their status, how many of them have

done CD4/CD8 test atleast once? Of those how many are eligible for ART? (who

have CD4 below 200).

I believe, only 20% of those aware of their status will need ART right now.

This makes the figure of HIV+ people eligible for ART - 200,000 to 400,000.

4) What percentage of HIV+ people who are eligible for ART access the free ART

roll-out at Govt. run centres?

This figure could be from 40 to 60%; an average of 50:50 ratio among Govt:

Private

5) How many HIV +ve people are already taking ART?

My information is - 50,000 from Govt. and may be 80,000 from the private. Hence

nearly 130,000 HIV+ve people are on ART in india out of estimated 200,000 to

400,000 who need ART. The gap is bridging - albeit slowly, but steadily.

Dr. I S Gilada

e-mail: <ihoaids@...>