JOHANNESBURG, 18 February (PLUSNEWS) - Nigeria is importing US $4 million worth of anti-AIDS drugs in an effort to end a four-month shortage, the Ministry of Health announced.

In 2002 Nigeria launched Africa's biggest AIDS control programme, which provided generic drugs from India to an initial 10,000 adults and 5,000 children at a subsidised monthly cost of $7 per person per month.

Health Minister Eyitayo Lambo told Reuters that the first batch of drugs had already arrived and was being distributed to the country's 25 HIV/AIDS treatment centres, many of which had run out of supplies in September.

Lambo said the shortage was caused by the "over-enrolment of patients" in a pilot programme, and a lack of money.

[ENDS]

MORE NEWS BRIEFS

Recent NIGERIA Reports

Over 14,000 on subsidised AIDS drugs run out of medication, 3/Feb/04

Stock of subsidised drugs for AIDS runs out, 15/Jan/04

Prevalence rates rise despite anti-AIDS messages, 23/Oct/03

Obasanjo launches new HIV/AIDS policy, 5/Aug/03

Struggling to promote awareness, 29/Nov/02

Links

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria

AEGIS

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria

Youth against AIDS

Making A difference for Children Affected by AIDS

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