Nigeria To Produce HIV/AIDS Drugs

                                
UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Bilali Camara said that four companies will commence production of anti-retroviral drugs in Nigeria.
He said the local production of anti-retroviral drugs would enable people access treatment at a cheaper rate.
He added that it will also help those on life treatment, stressing that people live on treatment for 15 to 30 years.
``We have commenced negotiations with four pharmaceutical companies; the companies have been certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the general manufacturing practices,” he said.
The official said WHO would assist to conduct the prequalification processes, ``and as soon as that is concluded they will commence the production of the anti-retroviral drugs in Nigeria’’.
Camara said many West and Central African states would benefit from the production, because nobody is producing the drugs in this region.
He added that beside Nigeria, seven million other people may need the drugs for treatment from West and Central Africa, which shows that there is good return of investment to the companies