Japan could become one of the first countries in the world to end the HIV epidemic, says the president of Gilead Sciences Japan, Kennet Brysting. The idea for now could seem a little too ambitious, but it is not entirely unrealistic, given that the availability of medicines that can prevent transmission of HIV. Drugs are not the cure, but control over the spread of virus to the point where the disease is no longer a major public health threat.

What Is The Role Of Preventative HIV Medicines?

Gilead's have two key drugs, Truvada and lenacapavir. These two are playing a crucial role in prevention. Truvada is taken as a daily pill, while lenacapavir requires two injections per year. It can make the virus undetectable in infected individuals and prevent transmission to those who are not infected yet. In trials, lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections. This is why it is describe as "almost a vaccine".

In 2024, Japan also approved Truvada for HIV prevention, but the country has yet to approve lenacapavir for the same. Until now, people in Japan had been importing generic versions of Truvada or purchasing it from clinics that source it from overseas.

HIV In Japan

Up until now, Japan reported around 25,000 HIV infections, whereas 669 new cases were reported in 2023. For seven consecutive years, the number of new infections remained under 1,000. The downward trend thus shows that the virus has been controlled, however, getting to zero new infections remains the ultimate goal.

Brysting too acknowledged that simply having effective drug is not enough. What is important is to have a proper implementation, access and healthcare support to make sure that these treatments are widely available and effective.

What Are The Challenges In Implementation?

The biggest challenges is testing rates. There is a need to increase testing rates. At this very moment, around 86% people infective with Japan have been tested, but the goal is to increase it up to 95%, with an ideal goal of 100%. Without widespread testing, many infected people may not even know that they are infected and it could transmit the virus.

Another measure issue is the cost of preventative medication. While Japan's health insurance covers treatments for diseases, it does not cover preventative drugs. Those who purchase Truvada for prevention, pay around $470 per month. Some clinics in Tokyo offer generic alternatives too, which is cheaper, but they are not ideal.

Better Healthcare Support

Brysting expressed concern that individuals importing medications might not be consulting doctors regularly, which is essential for monitoring HIV status and overall health. Truvada users need to be tested for HIV initially and every three months, along with screenings for other infections and kidney function checks. Without proper medical supervision, there is a risk of misuse and inadequate protection.

Gilead is in discussions with Japanese authorities to improve access and insurance coverage for Truvada, and progress is being made. Japan has shown efficiency in approving critical medicines, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gilead’s remdesivir was approved in just three days.

What Is The Way Ahead?

Gilead at this moment is not only focused on HIV and hepatitis C, but also expanding into oncology with innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, which strengthens a patient's immune system to fight cancer.

However, Japan’s strict approval processes can slow down drug availability. Phase 3 clinical trials often need to be conducted within the country, and Japan tends to approve medicines much later than other regions. For instance, Truvada was approved for prevention in Japan 12 years after the U.S. and nearly 20 years after its approval for treatment. inancial factors also play a role. The Japanese government adjusts drug prices annually, often reducing them, which can make long-term investment challenging for pharmaceutical companies.

Once affecting people who smoked tobacco, lung cancer in India is today more common among people who never smoked. The major reason: exposure to poor air, almost year-round.

Although air pollution has emerged as an important risk for lung cancer, the evidence on this issue from India is limited. To explore more on this, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, today announced undertaking a major study.

The study, dubbed ‘AIRCARE (Air Pollution and Cancer Research Ecosystem): Center for Advanced Research on Environmental Health and Lung Cancer Risk’, will examine the connection between the fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) and the risk of lung cancer in the country.

PM2.5 particles, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, are approximately 30 times smaller than a human hair. It is a significant yet often unseen threat to air quality.

“India is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, and there is an urgent need to scientifically look at the effects of pollution on people’s health. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among males in India, and there is a high number of non-smoking lung cancers among females and young adults,” said Dr. Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology at AIIMS, who will lead the study, while addressing the media.

“It is deeply concerning that lung cancer, once assumed to be a disease mostly associated with people who smoke tobacco, is now seeing a rapid increase in incidence amongst people who do not smoke,” he added.

The expert urged the "need to implement policy and management strategies to tackle this disease and mitigate further loss of life”.

The AIRCARE Study

It will be the first-of-its-kind scientific study in India to evaluate the effects of exposure to air pollution.

About 1,615 lung cancer cases with 1,615 controls from their family members will be added to the study.

The study will employ both a cohort and case-control design to track the effects of chronic PM 2.5 exposure on lung cancer incidence across various demographics and socio-economic groups.

It will also attempt to isolate an Indian population-specific genetic imprint.

Based on the findings, the researchers aim to develop a risk- based screening model that will include both clinical and molecular components specific to the Indian population and exposure levels.

It will also identify the susceptible population among the cohort who are more at risk of developing lung cancer.

Lung Cancer And Air Pollution Risks In India

Data from the National Cancer Registry shows that lung cancer affects about 72,000 people and claims 66,000 lives every year in India -- making it one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in the country.

From a smoker’s illness, lung cancer has now emerged as a major concern due to poor air quality. Several doctors across Delhi and Maharashtra have n noted a significant increase in pulmonary cancer due to air pollution.

A 2025 study at a government hospital in North India found that 52 percent of lung cancer cases were among non-smokers.

The Indian government today constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), in a major reform to improve the quality of dental education in the country and align it with global standards, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on the occasion of World Oral Health Day.

The government also announced three autonomous boards under the NDC and repealed the erstwhile Dental Council of India (DCI). The developments were notified on March 19, making the new framework operational from the same date, the Ministry said in a statement.

The NDC aims to introduce essential and long-overdue regulatory reforms in dental education and enhance access to affordable oral healthcare across the country.

The three autonomous bodies aim to support the functioning of the Commission. These are:

• Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board -- to oversee dental education
• Dental Assessment and Rating Board -- to regulate accreditation and institutional assessment
• Ethics and Dental Registration Board -- to govern professional conduct and registration of dentists

The key functions of the National Dental Commission includes:

• Framing regulations to implement the provisions of the Act
• Conducting rating and assessment of dental institutions
• Evaluating human resources and promoting dental research
• Framing guidelines for fee regulation in private dental colleges
• Establishing standards for community dental care, education, research, and professional ethics

World Oral Health Day

Every year on March 20, World Oral Health Day is observed to empower people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health.

The 2026 theme is “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life” raises awareness about the importance of caring for your mouth at every stage of life - from birth through later years.

"Healthy Mouth, Healthy Nation. This World Oral Health Day, let’s raise awareness and take action, practice proper brushing, reduce sugar intake, and prioritize regular dental check-ups. Your smile deserves daily care," the Ministry of Health shared in a post on social media platform X.

Also read: World Oral Health Day: Your Mouth May Signal Disease Before You Even Know, According To Doctor

"A healthy mouth is essential for a healthy body. This World Oral Health Day, let’s focus on building better habits for ourselves and our families," said Union Health Minister JP Nadda.

He called for building up "simple steps like proper brushing, limiting sugary foods, and regular dental check-ups" to maintain good oral health.

"Good oral care not only keeps our smile bright but also supports overall well-being. Let’s use this occasion to raise awareness and commit to maintaining good oral hygiene every day," he added.

The Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has identified 219 districts across the country as priority for intensified interventions for HIV/AIDS, as part of its strategy to control the epidemic by 2027.

The country aims to achieve HIV control by December 1, 2027. As part of its Mission AIDS Suraksha, the Ministry convened the regional workshops titled ‘Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala' in Delhi today.

The workshop laid a special focus on the states of Haryana and Delhi, to chart a targeted approach for program implementation and close monitoring of high-burden districts -- 11 in Haryana and 7 in Delhi.

In Delhi, the identified districts include North, New Delhi, Shahdara, Central, South East, South, and North West. In Haryana, the prioritized districts comprise Panipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Hisar, Sonipat, Kaithal, and Fatehabad.

District program teams from these priority areas presented their progress, shared operational challenges, and collaboratively developed targeted, outcome-oriented action plans to further strengthen the HIV response at the grassroots level.

HIV Status In Delhi And Haryana

As per data from the Ministry, an estimated 59,079 people live with HIV in Delhi, with an adult HIV prevalence of 0.33 percent.

On the other hand, Haryana has an adult HIV prevalence of 0.24 percent, with an estimated 59,642 people living with HIV.

"Delhi continues to face critical gaps, with only around 70 percent of identified individuals currently linked to or receiving treatment, highlighting the urgent need to accelerate treatment coverage and retention,” said Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary & Director General, NACO.

"In contrast, Haryana has achieved a cascade of approximately 81:83:95, reflecting encouraging progress, while also signaling the need for intensified efforts to improve diagnosis and treatment linkage,” he added.

Focus Areas

HIV/AIDS A Public Health Challenge

By 2025, HIV targets were to ensure 95 percent people know their HIV status, 95 percent of them are on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, and 95 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed.

As per the National AIDS Control Organization’s report (Sankalak 2024), 81 percent of 25.44 lakh people living with HIV knew their status, 88 percent of them were receiving lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, and 97 percent of those on the treatment were virally suppressed till March 2024.

"HIV/AIDS continues to pose a significant public health challenge, necessitating sustained vigilance, innovation, and coordinated action across all tiers of governance,” said Dr. Gupta, in his keynote address.

Also read: Years After PrEP Rollout, The HIV Prevention Drug Still Remains A Privilege In India

Eliminating Vertical Transmission Of HIV

Dr. Gupta also emphazised the critical importance of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

"Such transmission is entirely preventable through timely testing, counselling, and treatment, and called for strengthened antenatal screening and universal access to prevention services to ensure that no child is born with HIV," he added.

Also read: Reducing Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission To Zero Key To End AIDS In India: Experts

Stressing the need for a whole-of-system approach, Dr. Gupta called upon stakeholders across national, state, and district levels to work in close synergy, particularly at the field level, to bridge existing gaps in awareness, testing, treatment, and adherence.

The Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala serves as a vital platform for collaborative planning between national, State, and district stakeholders, reinforcing India’s coordinated, evidence-based, and data-driven approach to HIV prevention and testing services.

It aims to improve linkage and retention on treatment, enhance viral load suppression among people living with HIV, and expand targeted outreach among vulnerable and key populations.