Uganda Opens First HIV Drug Plant
 A
pharmaceutical plant, the first of its kind in Africa, to
produce drugs for the treatments of HIV/Aids has been
established in Uganda.
The factory was set up with the aim of reducing the cost of the
vital medication by cutting import costs.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni declared the plant open in the
capital, Kampala. Uganda has won accolades for its vigorous
campaign against HIV/AIDS. After reaching a peak of 30% in the
1990s, Uganda has cut its HIV/AIDS figures to a single digit.
Uganda's health minister, Dr. Stephen Malinga said locally
produced anti-retroviral HIV drugs and anti-malaria drugs should
be available from the plant by January.
He said the factory would reduce Uganda's reliance on expensive
imports of vital HIV/AIDS and malaria drugs from foreign
countries.
"[Ugandans] will have access to a regular supply of medication
and also we hope it will be cheaper, because we will be
eliminating the element of transportation and manufacture in
foreign countries," Dr. Malinga said.
Ugandan drugs importer, Quality Chemicals will produce the
medicines locally with Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla, one
of the world's largest producers of generic drugs.
It hopes to sell them in Uganda and other African countries.
Overcoming Challenges
Leonard Okello, of the aid group, Action Aid International said
that “distributing the treatment was the biggest hurdle to
overcome. ...The important thing is for the tablet to get on to
the table.”
"The challenge is to make sure that the production is followed
by a good distribution system that makes sure that the drug can
reach all corners of the country," He added.
Africa has the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Many African countries import anti-retroviral treatments from
foreign pharmaceutical companies.
In South Africa, some companies already produce the treatments,
but Quality Chemicals will be the first to produce the complete
triple-therapy treatment.
Other African countries, including Ghana, Tanzania, the
Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia are also planning to
start local production of the drugs.
According to World Health Organization figures, only 41% of
Ugandans who need anti-retroviral therapy receive the treatment.
BBC/MIA
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