Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government contemplates establishing ARV manufacturing company

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MINISTER of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde gives his speech during the Zambia and Zimbabwe (ZamZim) joint World malaria day commemoration at Mukuni Park in Livingstone
MINISTER of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde

Minister of Health Joseph Kasonde has disclosed that plans were underway to begin manufacturing anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) in Zambia to increase accessibility by people living with HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Kasonde said although Zambia has a stable supply of ARVs from other countries where they are manufactured, government was in the process of setting up local manufacturing companies.

Dr. Kasonde was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Stanford Mschili in Ndola today.

The Minister of Health reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that ARVs were easily accessible in the country as they were essential in saving lives.

He said the current HIV treatment available in the country was enough to save lives adding that there was no need for anyone to die of AIDS despite the cure not being found yet.

Dr. Kasonde was in Ndola to commission the Baxy Pharmarceutical Company Limited which will manufacture different drugs.

ZANIS

19 COMMENTS

  1. This govt should be serious,how many programs do they intend to implement at the same time or its the usual rhetorics it is known for?

    • Nyeleti. Do you want govt to only work on one project at a time? It’s possible to implement multiple projects at a time. Thinking like yours is one of the reasons that has led to Zambia lagging behind in terms of development. Am sure you are only interested in seeing new roads and nothing else.

    • Chaps like Nyeleti would rather GRZ imports ARVs from abroad thus creating jobs and wealth for foreigners and not fellow Zambians.

    • There is nothing difficult about it.Besides even the current ARVs we get from other countries are not original but effective.We can consult or invite them to set up a plant

  2. This Government is the most ambious and am loving every bit of it excluding the Machete brotherhood, A team, White shark and Sting Ray.Otherwise, Iets explore for this would serve us trillions in future should this venture pull through, make sure you engange only professionals who understand every molecule in shape and component.
    Make sure those involved have their interests nowhere else but on the lives they will be serving. Next to it there must be an independent company to carry out inspections every month to make sure there are no counterfeits or extra pills on the black market (my word this scares me like hell in Zambia…obviously you will find it on that road connecting Chacha en Cairo roads at 2 kwacha) Issue on prescription only.

    • CONTD:
      Restricted access and out of bounds for unauthorised employees and Alliens. Make sure you have highly technical security equipment to detect any pilferage, if it means stripping them out do it please for this is no joking matter.
      Make sure rules and regulations are outlined in Black and White. If anyone is caught wanting ship them off to chimbos whether CEO or Government officials. If you succeed i will definately vote for PF come 2016 for it would be more than a Guarantee to a developed Zambia! Am very ambious so ideas of this magnitude excite me i can go on and on, far fetched as it may seem it can be achieved with much effort.Invest in this project it will cost a magnitude but its worth it. Scientists and pharmacists are making Billions am glad Zambia seems to be waking up.

    • Well said Cindy. I hope the chaps who just blog so that they can go and brag at the local bar will not crucify you with their useless political drivel.

    • This is a very positive move as smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. Dr. Kasiwa Bulaya enriched himself from ARV money meant for patients and now he is in prison.

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