India calls for flexibilities in intellectual property rights to combat AIDS

Speaking on the sidelines of a UN meeting, Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda stressed on the importance of generic medicines

With over 80% of the affordable and quality antiretroviral (ARV) drugs used globally to treat Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) supplied by Indian pharmaceutical industry, India has sought flexibilities in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) under a global trade agreement to back its endeavour of ending the deadly disease by 2030.

"We are well aware of the role that generic pharmaceutical manufacturers from India have played in initiating ARV treatment for over 17 million people by providing affordable and high quality ARV drugs. We will continue to provide this support to the global community in ending AIDS by 2030," Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda said at a panel discussion on the sidelines of the high-level United Nations General Assembly meeting on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or AIDS.

He said India reminds the global community to continue the important role its generic pharmaceutical industry plays in the treatment of HIV or AIDS, flexibilities related to the WTO agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of IPR or TRIPS need to continue.

He stressed India's commitment to provide comprehensive services that encompass requirements of prevention, treatment, care and support to all its citizens to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

"We have plans to increase access to high quality ARV treatment through our public health system in collaboration with the private sector and community based organisations," he said on Thursday.

Nadda said India will need to front load its investments substantially to almost double the number of people on ARV treatment in less than five years.

He also reiterated India's commitment to work towards achieving the 90-90-90 treatment targets by 2020, an ambitious global treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic.

As per the target, by 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90% with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained ARV therapy and a similar percentage of people receiving ARV therapy will have viral suppression.

India, which has made considerable progress over the last few years in providing ARV treatment to almost a million people, is working to ensure that it detects those infected with HIV and fast track efforts in providing treatment to men, women and children without leaving any one behind.

Nadda told the panel that it is largely because of the pioneering efforts of India's pharmaceutical industry that it can even visualise putting 90% of people living with HIV on treatment.

"India's role as the pharmacy of the world is well recognised globally, and high quality affordable generics from India have saved millions of lives globally," he said, adding that more than 80% of the ARV drugs used globally are supplied by the Indian pharmaceutical industry.

India's recently adopted IPR policy states that the country will continue to utilise the legislative space and flexibilities available in international treaties and the TRIPS agreement.