'HOMEGROWN' AFRICAN ARV PRODUCTION SPREADS RAPIDLY

Nigeria and Ghana are the most recent African states to confirm plans to start home-grown generic ARV production. Observers say Nigeria's move comes in response to an expected rise in local HIV/AIDS infection rates beyond the current official estimate of 5%, as well as the heavy cost of imported ARVs.

Nigerian health minister Eyitayo Lambo has claimed that a "completely Nigerian" firm in Ogun state has begun the production of eight HIV/AIDS treatments, seven of which have already been approved by national regulatory bodies.

Currently, Nigeria offers subsidised ARVs at NGN1,000 (US$7.63) per month but annual check-ups and tests can cost up to NGN42,000 (US$320.611). Meanwhile, Ghana has announced a joint venture with a Chinese company; the plan is expected to halve the country's treatment costs to US$3.3mn per year.

Recent months have seen similar initiatives in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. South Africa, which arguably has the region's highest-profile treatment scheme, has boosted co-operation between its generics makers and multinationals. However, the growth of ARV drug production outside South Africa is likely to be the cause of friction with patent holders, while global organisations are offering a slew of rival funding schemes to deal with Africa's HIV/AIDS crisis.