Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and virologic suppression among HIV-infected persons receiving care in private clinics in Mumbai, India.

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and correlates of adherence and virologic suppression among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons receiving ART in private, outpatient clinics in India is unknown.

Methods: Between December 2004 and April 2005, persons receiving ART at 3 private clinics in Mumbai, India, were interviewed regarding HIV care and adherence to ART. Physicians also completed a survey for each participant.

Difficulties encountered with the use of antiretroviral drugs in India.

The improved availability and drastically reduced cost of antiretroviral therapy, largely due to generic manufacturing, has enabled an increased number of HIV-positive Indians to undergo antiretroviral therapy. But unless these drugs are used judiciously, treatment failures will cause the emergence of drug-resistant HIV strains. This is a grave danger not only to India but to the entire world.