Interpretation on the notice regarding the amendment on China’s free antiretroviral treatment policy

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2014-06-09

  photo by IC Li Xiang

• Background of issuing the amendment

Making sure that AIDS patients get free antiretroviral treatment is in line with the government “four frees and one support” policy, aiming to take care of AIDS patients. The policy is critical to protect the legitimate rights and interests of AIDS patients. It is also critical the development of the harmonious society.

• The drafting process

In 2012, the general administrative office of the former Ministry of Health issued a national handbook for free antiretroviral treatment of AIDS patients, which is referred as the 2012 edition of the handbook. The World Health Organization issued in 2013 consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection, which provides new guidance for treating AIDS patients. Based on the new standards published by the WHO, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention organized a team of experts to revise the 2012 edition of the handbook.

2. The principles of drafting the amendment

The revised version of China’s free antiretroviral treatment is in line with the Regulations on AIDS Prevention and Treatment, the document of further strengthening AIDS prevention, the 12th Five-Year Plan regarding the control and prevention of AIDS, the Notice on printing and distributing of Opinions on Administration of antiretroviral treatment, the Notice on strengthening antiretroviral treatment, as well as other related laws and regulations. Moreover, the revised guideline is also in line with related guidelines and treatment standards from the WHO.

• Main content

The revised 2012 edition of the free antiretroviral treatment handbook set up different treatment standards based on different age groups. It is estimated that the new guideline will include an additional 60,000 AIDS patients to the free antiretroviral treatment program.

• The use of the revised handbook

The revised standard can be used to guide relevant organizations to carry out free antiretroviral treatment.