NIGERIA TO MANUFACTURE ARVS, MALARIA DRUGS

Nigeria's health minister has announced that the country is to begin manufacturing antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to combat HIV/AIDS. There are also plans to build new production facilities for anti-malarials based on artesiminin.

Meanwhile, it is reported that a US generics firm is also to assist in setting up a new unit, to be located in Abuja, to make plant-based therapies to combat the symptoms of sickle-cell anaemia. The disease is highly prevalent in West Africa.

Recent months have shown signs that Nigeria's government is shaking off some of its traditional inertia regarding drug production. Earlier in the year, officials signed an ARV technology transfer deal with Brazil, and local drug regulator NAFDAC has acted to restrain competitive imports of much-needed medicines.