Quest for new treatment options for AIDS must continue, says ISCR

The theme echoes the UNAIDS vision of achieving “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.”

While there are several preventive measures in place to halt the AIDS epidemic, investments in the treatment and management of HIV have played a big role in managing its impact. 

The UN estimates that “already 15.8 million people are accessing life-saving HIV treatment; new HIV infections have been reduced by 35% since 2000 and AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 42% since its peak in 2004.”

“While there still needs to be a lot done to reduce the incidence of AIDS, we have seen tremendous progress in the treatment and management of HIV since it was first labelled as an epidemic. Today, HIV patients are able to lead not just qualitatively better lives, but also live longer thanks to medical advancements. Anti retroviral therapy has changed HIV from life threatening disease to a chronically manageable condition," said Shashank R Joshi, Immediate Past President, Association of Physicians of India (API).

“World AIDS Day is an important occasion for us to reflect on how clinical research has contributed to better and newer treatment for HIV patients. It is only through clinical research that more advanced treatment can be made possible and we must acknowledge the role of the HIV patients who through their participation in clinical trials have made new medicines possible,” said Suneela Thatte, President, Indian Society for Clinical Research, ISCR.