(a) whether the World Health Organisation (WHO) had banned certain
drugs being used by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) under ART treatment for
AIDS patients in 2009;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the banned drugs which are causing other serious ailments in AIDS
patients are still being used for their treatment in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the same; and
(e) the action taken/proposed by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on Anti-retroviral Treatment
(ART) for adult and adolescent (2010) had recommended that all countries develop a plan to
phase out an antiretroviral drug - Stavudine, from their ART programmes in view of its long
term toxicities like neuropathy, pancreatitis, lipoatrophy and lactic acidosis. In view of
this, the Technical Resource Group (TRG) on ART at NACO discussed this issue in its meeting
dated 27th December 2011. The TRG recommended a phased withdrawal of this drug.
Accordingly it was decided that no new adult patient will be initiated on Stavudine based
regimen with effect from 1st July 2012. This has already been implemented in all ART centres
in the country.
(c) to (e): No. No other banned ARV drugs are being used for treatment of AIDS patients
in our country.