Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited is in the process of discussing with The William Jefferson Clinton Foundation to extend the scope of the agreement to provide affordable HIV/AIDS drugs to more countries, the company said in an official release.

This initiative is aimed to bring Anti Retroviral drugs (ARVs), now regarded as life-saving and essential drugs, within the reach and easy access of millions of people suffering from HIV and AIDS in many more countries.

Presently the agreement covers countries in Africa and the Caribbean regions like, South Africa, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Haiti, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Around 1.5 to 2.0 million patients are estimated to benefit from this programme by 2008.

The current arrangement covers fixed dose combination of Triviro-LNS (Lamivudine+Stavudine+ Nevirapine), Aviro-LZN (Lamivudine+Zidovudine+Nevirapine), Coviro (Lamivudine+ Stavudine), and Efavirenz. These drugs are already available in several countries, the release said.