Indian exports battle the HIV virus

India is the largest supplier of medicine to the global market for anti-retro viral medicines, used to control AIDS. Exports from the country contribute to 80% of global supply, said PV Appaji, executive director, Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharexcel).

For the last one decade, India has supplied drugs to most of the countries in need of anti-retro viral medicines, especially nations in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

“There are 30 World Health Organisation-recognised manufacturers (generic) of anti-retro viral medicines. Twenty-eight of them are Indian,” said Appaji.

According to a recent UNAIDS report, AIDS has been declining, and the world is beginning to reverse the spread of HIV. New HIV infections have decreased by nearly 20% in the last 10 years. AIDS-related deaths are down by nearly 20% in the last five years.

The total number of people living with HIV is stabilising.
The efficiency of anti-retroviral therapy (ART)  has been appreciated by UNAIDS in increasing the life expectancy of many living with HIV.

To put it in a nutshell, India has been at the battle front against HIV. Appaji said the treatment of HIV was made affordable after Indian companies entered the world market. ART medicine which earlier cost about $1,000 or Rs45,000 a month has now come down to $200 or Rs9,000 a month.

“The legal framework in India is flexible and facilitates production of generic drugs better than other countries. The bounty of resources available in our country makes India the ideal destination for mass production,” he said.

Talking about ayurveda in the country, he said a huge potential was exhibited by ayurvedic products. “More than biological medicines, we are doing great in the field of dietary supplements. Our products such as chavanprash, choorna, etc have a huge market in the world market, especially, in the US,” he said.

While ayurvedic medicines have failed to be in the mainstream due to the lack of clinical evidence, their production is on a boom as they require lesser clinical tests or rigid licensing procedures.

“Even during the recent Ayurveda Congress in Bangalore, we had many buyers coming forward to get the ayurveda products. This will be a good start and we will be able to become the world leader in the field of traditional medicine as well,” said Appaji.