The research and development efforts in the field of HIV/AIDS have been very limited in the country. With the possibility of a vaccineemerging by the turn of the century, Government recognises the need to encourage and support research and development in the following areas:-

i. The Government will look out for collaborative research with scientific groups in developed countries for development of vaccines suitable for the strains of HIV virus prevalent in India. It is also necessary to develop protocols for vaccine trials in the country. At present R&D in HIV vaccine is regarded as an expensive proposition but because of the enormity of the problem involved, the effort is worth the investment.

ii. Development of anti-retroviral drugs in USA and other developed countries has also given hope to the large number of HIV-infected persons for greater longevity and a possible cure for the disease. However, these drugs are extremely expensive even by the standard of the

developed world. The Government is at present following a policy of allowing these drugs to be imported freely into the country to ensure their free availability to those who can afford. Efforts will be made to indigenise manufacture of these drugs by encouraging the private sector drug industry to get into collaborative arrangements. The efficacy of anti-retrovirals like AZT in p[revention of perinatal transmission from mother to the child has also raised the hope of saving children from getting the infection from their mothers. However, pilot studies have to be conducted on the use of these drugs on expectant mothers before they can be officially introduced for treatment at the pre-natal stage.Goveernment will be sponsoring pilot studies on the efficacy of anti-retrovirals for clinical trials among HIV-infected persons including pregnant women.