Free drugs for AIDS patients

Free drugs for AIDS patients
13 Detected With The Disease Each Month
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: HIV/AIDS patients in Goa have a reason to smile. The state government is now in the process of introducing free second-line lifesaving antiretroviral treatments (ART), including drugs for opportunistic infections. However, the medicines would be available only to those who seek treatment in government hospitals or ART centres.
Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has put up a proposal to the state government requesting them to provide free second line antiretroviral treatment drugs. “We have sent a proposal to the state government after this issue was discussed in the executive council meeting on May 2,” said GSACS project director Dr Pradeep Padwal.
The NGOs working towards better HIV/AIDS treatment and care have been pressing for this from the state government, especially since National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) doesn’t provide free second-line anti-retroviral drugs. Besides, in the year 2007, the HIV patients also didn’t get the drugs for opportunistic infections free of cost, as GSACS didn’t receive any quotation from suppliers.
“But from now on drugs for opportunistic infections would be supplied through NACO and 75 per cent of it would go to the ART centres,” said a GSACS official.
On an average 13 people per month are detected with HIV in the coastal villages of Bardez, Tiswadi, Mormugao and Salcete alone and it would benefit not only those infected with HIV and susceptible to opportunistic infections, but also the 503 patients put on ART, besides the six AIDS patients put on second line of treatment.
“The number of people in need of second-line treatment and opportunistic infections drugs are only going to increase, making access to them a necessity and not a luxury,” said Mahesh from an NGO Zindagi.
However, if implemented immediately, the government would have to spare at least Rs 12 lakh a year, for the six patients who have been put on second line of ART. Officials at GSACS inform that if the cost of medicines for a patient put on first line of treatment is Rs 8000 per year, the expense on medicine for those on second line of treatment is Rs 8000 per month.
But the NGOs feel that the government should help the HIV positive persons. “Since very few patients can afford the cost of the second-line ART or opportunistic infections drugs. As the drugs are largely unaffordable and unavailable, government should plan for the future and not be short-sighted while giving the drugs,” said Jaffer Inamdar, a person living with HIV/AIDS.

June 7, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition