- Wereldfonds buys Kenyan HIV medicines for patients in Mozambique, making it the first time that African made medicine (TLD) has been used through this channel.
- In 2023, Pharma Universal Corporation Ltd, based in Kenya, became the first African manufacturer that nodded to produce Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumaraat, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir (TLD) (TLD)-Eerelijns Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV.
The self-reliance of Africa about the production of life-saving HIV drugs has entered a new era with a first after purchasing ‘Made in Africa’ medication by Mozambique from a manufacturer in Kenya.
In an update, the global funds-a global Alliance Financing HIV, tuberculosis and malaria management programs said it purchased the Kenyan HIV treatment for patients in Mozambique, making it the first time that African made medicine (TLD) was used through this channel.
“The purchase of Afrikaans made primary care HIV treatment by the Global Fund for Mozambique is a large milestone for strengthening supply chain systems in Africa,” said Meg Doherty, director of the global HIV programs.
“This will contribute to better health results for people who live with HIV who need continuous medicines.”
Two years ago, the Pharmaceutical Company Universal Corporation Ltd, established in Kenya, was the first African manufacturer to receive the pre-qualification of the World Health Organization (WHO) to produce Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumaraat, Lamivudine and DoluteGravir (TLD) for Hivetvalie-one of a first-line first-line.
This step marks an important milestone in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa, a continent that will access more than 65 percent of the burden of disease internationally.
Building African capacity to make HIV Medicines
According to the WHO, the establishment of the pharmaceutical company, which is established in Kenya, Universal Corporation LTD, is part of a broader plan to improve the production capacity of essential HIV medicines in Africa and at the same time improve access to essential health technologies on the continent.
For years, the WHO has worked closely with authorities in economies in Africa, manufacturers and like-minded global health organizations such as the Global Fund and Unitaid-to significantly improve the production of quality in Africa.
“Local production of high-quality health products is an urgent priority,” says Rogerio Gaspar, director for regulations and pre-qualification.
“With every African manufacturer that meets the pre-qualification standards, we get closer to a more self-reliant, resilient and fair health system.”
The human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) weakens the body’s immune system, which considerably reduces the ability to combat infections and certain cancers.
Empirical evidence shows that HIV can continue quickly without timely intervention, which rises on the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of infection.
Africa is still confronted with huge gaps in fighting disease
Even with the HIV drug production capacity based in Kenya, which says that production alone is not sufficient. There is an urgent need to guarantee sustainability in the long term of the company for drugs, a goal that can only be achieved through persistent market obligations, the use of honest purchasing policy and continuous technical support.
Moreover, those who are still struggling with enormous diagnostic challenges. And with thinner donor support in the short term, a large number of countries affected by HIV and AIDS Pandemic have a lot of trouble maintaining reliable HIV tests for millions of people who are at risk of infections, let alone to support robust prevention and treatment systems.
Nigeria steps up the capacity of HIV drugs
Also encouraging is a recent development in Nigeria, where a diagnostic company, Codix Bio, was given a sublicense to produce rapid diagnostic tests for HIV.
“Having locally produced HIV -fast tests will help to increase affordability, and in broader lines the vulnerabilities of the supply chain and delays in access to diagnostics,” Dr. Doherty.
As part of his guidelines, which encourages countries to adopt cheap, who-realized fast HIV tests, especially as the first test in national algorithms, which can considerably reduce costs while retaining the service.
“Locally manufactured TLD is an important step in the direction of that goal,” who said, “but more action is needed.”
HIV – Important statistics according to who
- HIV remains a major global public health problem and has so far claimed an estimated 44.1 million lives. The transfer is underway in all countries worldwide.
- There were an estimated 40.8 million people who lived with it HIV At the end of 2024, 65 percent were in the WHO region.
- In 2024, an estimated 630,000 people died of HIV-related causes and an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV.
- There is no remedy for HIV infection. However, with access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, including opportunistic infections, HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health status, so that people with HIV can lead a long and healthy life.
- Who, the Global Fund and UNAIDS all have global HIV strategies that are tailored to the SDG target 3.3 of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
- By 2025, 95 percent of all people who live with HIV should have a diagnosis, of whom 95 percent should be life -saving anti -retroviral treatment, and 95 percent of people who live with HIV in the treatment should reach a suppressed viral load for the benefit of the person’s health and for reducing HIV. In 2024 these percentages were 87 percent, 89 percent and 94 percent respectively.
- In 2024, of all people who live with HIV, 87 percent knew their status, 77 percent received antiretroviral therapy and 73 percent had suppressed viral taxes.
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