HHS Secretary Leavitt Says U.S. Committed To Helping Eradicate HIV/AIDS In India

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 16 Jan 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Friday said the U.S. is committed to helping India eradicate HIV/AIDS and malaria, as well as other diseases, PTI/Hindu reports (PTI/Hindu, 1/11). Leavitt is on a trip to India that focuses on import safety, as well as scientific and research collaboration. During his visit, Leavitt met with senior government officials, university faculty and students, and business leaders. Leavitt also visited facilities that produce food, medicine and other products exported to the U.S. (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/8).

Leavitt said India's partnership with the U.S. to eradicate HIV/AIDS is "very important." He added that of the 57 generic antiretroviral drugs approved by FDA, 52 have come from India. "We have a mutual commitment to ensure that products that are produced for consumers are safe and of high quality," Leavitt said.

Leavitt on Friday also discussed with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss India's desire to establish a food and drug administration similar to FDA. He added that the U.S. would be "supportive" of India's efforts to establish the administration and is "willing to provide technical assistance" (PTI/Hindu, 1/11).

According to UNI/Deccan Herald, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has committed $30 million to support HIV treatment and support programs in India (UNI/Deccan Herald, 1/11). HHS last year through agencies such as NIH, CDC and FDA committed $30 million to U.S.-India collaboration for various programs, including HIV surveillance and treatment (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/8).

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