Today Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries (TPI), the European Commission and action medeor celebrate the completion of the new pharmaceutical factory for the production of high quality anti-retroviral medicines.
Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TPI), a Tanzanian pharmaceutical manufacturer located in Arusha, in collaboration with action medeor – a German Medical Aid Organization – located in Germany, has set up a new factory which is dedicated to manufacture anti-retroviral drugs of high quality and affordable costs for the needy within the country. The project is being co-financed by the European Commission with 5 million Euros (equivalent to 11 billion TSH)
The 1st of December is World Aids Day and for many years this was the day where the statistics released by UNAIDS were more tragic than the year before. However, this year the figures are showing an encouraging trend – the numbers of new infections have gone down in almost all countries. On a global level, the number of new infections in 2010 was 21% lower than at its peak in 1997. According to experts this is due to improvements in the access to therapy. In Sub Saharan Africa access has improved by 20% between 2009 and 2010. People living with HIV/Aids who are being treated are less infectious and live more responsible lives. Sustainable access to high quality affordable medicines is one key element of successful therapy.
“Anti-retroviral treatment is one of the pillars for successfully fighting the HIV/Aids pandemic” stated Bernd Pastors, Executive Board of action medeor, “This factory will help to continuously supply the disadvantaged in Tanzania and is an important step of improving access to therapy.”
Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries and action medeor planned and executed the project in close partnership over the past years.
“We are motivated by the idea of ending the vicious cycle of dependency and trying the unthinkable: to manufacture high quality pharmaceutical for the people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.” added Ramadhan Madabida, CEO of Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries which belongs to 40% to the Tanzanian Government. “We cut down profit expectations to a necessary minimum to maintain the factory and thus our products will be among the cheapest ARVs available worldwide” he assured further.
The range of products covers first line adult treatment therapies and antibiotics against opportunistic infections. WHO prequalification will be initiated for the anti-retrovirals.
The production is commenced in December this year with some pilot and technical batches. Commercial production is going to start beginning of next year.
“The current capacity is designed serving a minimum of 100,000 patients with a reserve to triple the output if required.” concluded Mr. Madabida.
The European Union Ambassador to Tanzania, Tim Clarke stated: "I applaud TPI and action medeor for building this anti-retrovirals production plant. I wanted to be here, on the International World Aids Day, to celebrate this major contribution by Tanzania to the fight against Aids. Although the prevalence of Aids in Tanzania is not as high as in some of neighbouring countries, this average figure hides major regional differences. The European Union is one of the major contributors to the international fight against Aids. We are very proud on this project and are hoping that this is creating a technological nucleus for long term sustainability."
The technology transfer project includes a completely new state-of-the-art factory that is to serve as an example for good manufacturing practices in Tanzania and East Africa.
The key components of the project are:
Setting up of a pharmaceutical factory meeting international quality standards.
Building up human capacity and qualified personnel to run, maintain and sustain such a plant.
Link with partners such as TACAIDS, NACP and TFDA, produce high quality anti-retrovirals and feed the right product at the right quality and quantity into the supply chain.
“I would like to thank the European Union for its continuous support and the German Government and the EAC for creating a positive environment for domestic pharmaceutical production.” stated Mr. Pastors from action medeor and continued, “Inspite of the success reported by UNAIDS, it remains a bitter fact that only about 50% of those in need actually have access to ARV treatment.”
Adding to the woe, the slump in the global economy affects the international financing mechanisms The Global Fund, as a result, will only be able to finance essential services for on-going programs. New applications cannot be financed by the Global Fund before 2014.
“We cannot let those down who are least responsible for this development but most affected by it” concluded Mr. Pastors.
Please,,,make sure that the ARVs production (Antiretroviral Drugs) should be for HIV victims and not for breeding chicken growth!.
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Chonde chonde,,,muhakikishe uzalishaji wa madawa haya ya kupunguza kasi ya athari ya Ukimwi yaelekezwe kwa waathithika wa Virusi vya Ukimwi na sio kwa kunenepeshea kuku!