Firms to Produce ARVs in Uganda

Quality Chemicals, a pharmaceutical distributor in Uganda, has teamed up with Indian generic drugmaker Cipla, to build a manufacturing facility and produce HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs) in Uganda, according to the Kampala, Uganda-based newspaper The Monitor.

While 80 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world live in Africa, African countries rely on HIV drugs imported from other countries, especially India, according to the article.

The joint venture is based on the fact that many believe that India, which has ratified the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement under the World Trade Organization, will soon cease to be a reliable source of affordable drugs, The Monitor reports.

Uganda, on the other hand, is exempt from implementing the agreement for the next 16 years because it is counted among the world's least-developed countries, meaning it can manufacture patented products without breaking the law, according to the Monitor article. The agreement also covers malaria drugs.

Construction of the factory began in July last year, the article said. Once completed, the $28 million plant is likely to result in a 30 percent reduction in the prices of ARVs and malaria drugs.