Indian companies, key players in the field of generic medicines, especially for AIDS, may benefit from a $15-billion US programme aimed at combating the deadly disease in 14 countries, whereby HIV medicines would be provided through a policy of global sourcing.

The programme spanning five years aims to combat AIDS in 12 African and 2 Carribean countries, which jointly account for 50 per cent of global AIDS burden, Jack C Chow, deputy assistant secretary of State for Health and Science (in the US State Department) told reporters in New Delhi.

Chow said the US was implementing a policy of allowing export of generic medicines for major diseases such as AIDS, TB and malaria from developing countries, which have the capability to produce them.

United States was also supporting voluntary price reduction by pharmaceutical companies.

As part of the project, AIDS medicines would be procured through global sourcing with a policy of highest possible quality with lowest cost, he said.

Generic drugs were also one of the options, he said.

AIDS is deadlier than any weapon of mass destruction and is on top of the global development agenda, Chow said adding the programme was part of the "global AIDS diplomacy" that aimed to check the spread of the disease globally by advancing public health strategies, mobilising civil society and spearheading political engagement and leadership.