Recent empirical studies and analyses have heightened interest in the use of expanded antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention of HIV transmission. However, ART is expensive, approximately $600 per person per year, raising issues of the cost and cost-effectiveness of ambitious ART expansion.

Why are antiretroviral drugs so expensive?

Certain prices of HIV drugs may be high and difficult to afford due to patent barriers on antiretroviral drugs and slow regulatory approval for drugs, which may lead to indirect consequences such as greater HIV drug resistance and an increased number of opportunistic infections.

What is the cost of antiretroviral drugs?

The cost of antiretroviral therapy (ART) used to treat HIV is the cheapest in India, with first-line treatment costing the government Rs 5,000/person/year, and second-line therapy - for people with immunity against the first-line drugs - priced at Rs 29,000/person/year. About 26,000 people are on second-line treatment.

How much does highly active antiretroviral therapy cost?

HIV care involves a type of medication called antiretroviral therapy (ART) and regular visits with your doctor. One study estimated that costs of this care could run anywhere between $1,800 to $4,500 each month during a persons lifetime. Most of this, about 60%, comes from the high cost of ART medications.