Shortage of HIV medicines

People living with HIV have been protesting outside offices of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), demanding that they receive medicines in a timely manner following shortages for nearly five months.

Details –

• The main shortage is of dolutegravir, used as part of the first-, second-, and third-line ART combinations.
• There is also a shortage of nevirapine syrup that is given to infants with HIV.

Why is the shortage a concern?

• While there is no cure for HIV infection, ART aims to reduce the replication of HIV and bring the viral load to undetectable levels.
• There has been a decline in mortality and illness resulting from HIV infection due to better availability of affordable and effective ART.