The Delhi High Court has sought the Centre’s response on a petition alleging that the government was not following through on their assurance to the court to ensure there would be no shortage of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Justice Sunil Gaur has asked the Ministry of Health to file a status report in response to the petition seeking contempt proceedings against the Centre, Delhi government and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

The plea has contended that the Centre, Delhi government and NACO had assured the High Court that there would be no shortage of ARV drugs at all government-run hospitals and antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres in the national Capital.

Continuous stock-out

The contempt petition that was moved by Delhi resident Rekha Devi alleged that ART centres of government hospitals in Delhi were having continuous stock-out of first, second and third line of ARV drugs used in the treatment of HIV.

The petition stated that India has 2.1 million People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and an HIV infection can be effectively controlled with ART and the patients can live longer without developing the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), an advanced form of the ailment.

“Unavailability or stock-out of ART drugs at the ART centres and not meeting the demands timely is therefore, an emergency situation,” it said.

The plea said the issue of shortage or stock-out was a problem in States other than Delhi also. The High Court has listed the case for hearing on March 12 next year.