The Supreme Court of India has directed all States to file responses regarding systemic issues in the procurement and supply of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

About Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs

ART is the treatment of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using anti-HIV drugs.
A primary goal of ART is to reduce the viral load to an undetectable level, which significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
- This is often referred to as "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U).
ART typically involves taking a combination of different HIV medicines (usually 2 to 4 drugs) to increase effectiveness (often called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)).
- Example: TLD Tablet (Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir).
It should be noted that ART is not a cure for HIV, but it can help people with HIV live long and healthy lives.
In India, ART drugs are managed by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), ensuring procurement, distribution, and regulation.
- NACO implements the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).

About HIV/AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus): It is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help fight infections.
AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome): It is the final and most severe stage of HIV infection and it occurs when the immune system becomes too weak to fight off life-threatening infections.
Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS, especially with proper treatment.
Transmission: HIV spreads through direct contact with certain body fluids from an infected person such as unprotected sexual contact, blood-to-blood contact, mother-to-child transmission, etc.
Status in India:
- As per the recent India HIV Estimations 2023 report, over 2.5 million people are living with HIV in India.
- North- east region States have the highest adult HIV prevalence (2.70% in Mizoram, 1.36% in Nagaland and 1.05% in Manipur).
- The four high-prevalence states of Southern India (Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) account for 55% of all HIV infections in the country.
Measures Taken:
- Global Efforts:
  - UNAIDS 95-95-95 Goal (By 2030):
    - 95% of people living with HIV should know their status.
    - 95% of diagnosed individuals should receive Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).
    - 95% of those on ART should achieve viral suppression.
  - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Provides financial support for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria programs in developing countries.
- India:
  - National AIDS Control Programme (NACP): Launched in 1992, currently in its fifth phase (NACP-V) (2021-2026).
  - Free ART Treatment & Care: India provides free ART drugs through 700+ ART centres across the country.
  - Legal Protection: HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 mandates free ART for all HIV-positive individuals.