LESOTHO: Free HIV/AIDS drugs offered by manufacturer

The German drug manufacturer Boehringer-Ingelheim this week offered Lesotho a free five year supply of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine, which prevents the mother-to-child transmission of the HI-virus.

"This announcement is a result of the 2000 negotiations between Lesotho and Boehringer-Ingelheim," the World Health Organisation family health coordinator, Theresa Kitleli told the UN news service Plusnews.

Kitleli said the roll-out of nevirapine from eight of the country's hospitals would begin once the necessary training has been implemented.

"While this is a significant move to combat the pandemic, more international assistance is needed provide antiretroviral drugs to all people living with HIV/AIDS Lesotho," Kitleli said.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]