Joe C Mathew India has rejected German drug major Boehringer Ingelheim's application for a pediatric form of anti-AIDS drug nevirapine bowing to objections from the country's civil society group and also to help local companies continue selling the medicine. The rejected patent application covers the syrup form of nevirapine, which is particularly important for children with HIV who are unable to swallow tablets. The rejection will allow generic drug companies like Aurobindo and Cipla to continue marketing low-cost versions of the medicine in the domestic market. BITTER PILL