(a) whether the paediatric dosages of essential ARVs are not available under the national ART programme.
(b) if so, the reasons therefor,
(c) whether the Government is considering to permit public sector companies to manufacture and make available dosages of ARVs;
(d) is so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) Under the National ART Programme, the paediatric dosages are not available in suspension form. The children are receiving ARV drugs in the form of splitting of adult dose tablets.
(b) When NACO initiated procurement of ARV drugs, all the paediatric formulation as per national ART guidelines, were not available in the market
(c) to (e) Yes, Sir. One public sector company, namely Hindustan Latex Ltd., has been given a trial licence to manufacture ARV drugs.