The Hyderabad-based pharma major, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has obtained WHO approval for its Unit III facility in Bachupally in RR District of Andhra Pradesh.

The facility has been found to be in compliance with the WHO GMP for manufacturing ARV (Anti retro-viral) drug products. Several applications have been filed and awaited for approval. The WHO approval is an important pre-requisite for several global sourcing programmes.

WHO has initiated this project along with UNICEF, UNAIDS and UNFPA, in the context of dramatically increasing the access and improve the affordability of HIV / AIDS related care and treatment. WHO has invited expression of interest from manufacturers of pharmaceutical products in respect to the provision of drugs for the management of HIV-related diseases. The World Bank is supporting this effort.