New pharma plant in Tanzania to produce ARVs

Tanzania will start the first domestic commercial production of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the next few months, amid hopes that the country will eventually provide medicines for half of all HIV-positive Tanzanians, reports the AllAfrica news service.

A pharmaceutical plant has been built near the northern city of Arusha using a grant from the European Union of about $6.6 million. In addition, Tanzania Pharmaceuticals Industry - in which the government has a 40% stake - has contributed $963,000 to the project, while German medical aid Action Medeor added $660,000.

"Anti-retroviral treatment is one of the pillars for successfully fighting the HIV pandemic. This factory will help to continuously supply the disadvantaged in Tanzania and is an important step towards improving access to therapy," said Bernd Pastors, executive director of Action Medeor.