WASHINGTON. Dec 31: President Bill Clinton plans to seek an increase in spending for a programme to help people with the virus that causes AIDS to buy expensive new treatment drugs, the White House said on Tuesday, reports .Reuter,

Spokesman Joe Lockhart confirmed a New York Times story that said Clinton would seek a 35 per cent increase in spending for AIDS drug assistance programme which help for ne..- medications that help block dew.) -pment of the disease.

Those drugs are usually given as a mixture in a so-called drug cocktail and can cost dollar 12,000 to dollar 15.000 a year for one person. In some

cases private insurers do not Bay for them, said a White ouse official.

People infected with the virus are generally unable to obtain treatment drugs under the federal medicaid programme until they become sev-erly ill. the official said. The new drugs slow the progression of the disease and prevent disability. In many cases, people are able to continue to work and live productive lives, he said.

Clinton was expected to request 385 million dollar for the drug programmes in the fiscal year 1999. Up from 285 million dollar this fiscal year and 167 million dollar last year. White House officials said.