Africa should manufacture its own antiretrovirals, A.U. official says

African countries should produce their own generic antiretroviral drugs in order to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS during the global economic crisis, African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs Bience Gawanas said recently during a conference for health ministers in Ethiopia, Reuters UK reports.

"Africa shouldn't just import drugs all the time," Gawanas said, adding, "Most of our HIV/AIDS drugs come from sources outside Africa. How can we be sure this will continue during the financial crisis?"

According to Gawanas, economies in Africa would benefit from the local production of generic antiretrovirals. She added although a large portion of HIV-positive people in Africa do not have drug access, a few countries have made progress in terms of treatment. "Some countries in Africa now have 80% of people with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral drugs," Gawanas said, adding, "But if there are cuts (in support from donor countries) can that progress continue? We need to mobilize local production" (Malone, Reuters UK, 5/7).