MALAWI: Local manufacture of anti-AIDS drugs considered

Malawi says it is considering the local production of generic antiretrovirals to ensure an affordable and sustainable supply.

According to Malawian Health Minister Hetherwick Ntaba, the stricter patent laws recently passed in India were threatening his country's supply of low-cost versions of the life-prolonging drugs.

Malawi began rolling out free anti-AIDS drugs last year, receiving most of its requirements from Indian generic drug manufacturers Ranbaxy Laboratories and Cipla, with funding from the Global AIDS Fund.

Ntaba told London's Financial Times that after Ranbaxy and Cipla removed some of their antiretrovirals from the World Health Organisation's list of prequalified medications, his country had to wait up to three months to find a new supply.

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