NEW DELHI: India and the United States on Thursday committed themselves to explore all avenues to combat sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The two countries would expedite drug approval process and strengthen bilateral cooperation for the next five years to fight the disease globally, according to a joint statement.

The two nations have decided to encourage corporate participation to boost the battle against the disease and announced setting up of a India-U.S. corporate fund to fight the menace, the statement said.

U.S. President George Bush has also announced a contribution of $7 million towards the India-U.S. Corporate Fund for HIV/AIDS. It would be managed by the GIVE Foundation and ICICI Bank, it said. With the help of contributors from Indian and U.S. businesses the fund seeks to increase resources to support prevention, treatment and control of HIV/AIDS in India.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the expedited United States Food and Drug Administration drugs approval processes to strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS. Since 2005, 12 anti-retroviral drugs have received expedited FDA approval within three months as compared to 1-2 years earlier (10 other applications are currently under advanced stages of FDA review).

With the World Health Organisation granting pre-qualification to all such FDA approved Indian drugs, they can be distributed by the WHO and other U.N. agencies in Asia and Africa where the AIDS epidemic is raging.

The U.S. also supports India's plan to raise the capabilities of its drug- approving agency to those comparable with the USFDA. The introduction of internationally accepted FDA testing standards, would lead to greater confidence and marketability of Indian drugs and foods.

Institutions in the two countries have been identified for collaborative research and product development. Vaccine development and clinical trials for new HIV/AIDS drugs are taking place in India. India and the U.S. are also exploring opportunities to establish two schools of public health in India.

Resolving to work together to address the concerns on avian influenza, they decided to reach out to the private sector for their participation to fight diseases that adversely impact the economic growth. It was agreed to plan an in-region containment and response exercise.

The two sides have agreed to expand bilateral efforts and continue cooperation in the area of medical research and strengthening technical capacity in food and drug regulation in India.

The U.S. President also lauded India's offer to host the International Partnership on Avian Pandemic Influenza meeting next year.

Health tourism from the U.S. to India is an area with enormous potential for collaboration.

With India offering world-class medical facilities at reasonable costs, the two could leverage expertise for their economic and social benefit.

India and the U.S. would continue to work on harmonisation of their healthcare systems, development of specialised medical insurance and legal packages for U.S. patients and accreditation of Indian healthcare institutions and professionals in the U.S., according to a fact sheet issued here.

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