South Africa can now start to produce Anti-HIV injections

South Africa is set to produce Anti-HIV injections at a drug company, Cipla in Benoni and Durban.

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ANTI-HIV INJECTIONS TO BE MADE IN SA

According to the Mail and Guardian, South African arm of the Indian drug company Cipla has confirmed that a generic version of the two-monthly HIV prevention injection, CAB-LA — short for long-acting cabotegravir and will be made at its plants in Benoni and Durban.

Cabotegravir is an antiretroviral drug that blocks HIV from entering someone’s cells.

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Studies have shown that it virtually eliminates someone’s chances to get infected through sex and works better than a daily HIV prevention pill that is available for free in South Africa, probably because it’s easier to take it regularly.

The manufacturing company confirmed this after an announcement in March by the developers of the branded version of the injection.

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COMPANIES LICENCED TO PRODUCE THIS INJECTION

ViiV Healthcare, and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) that sublicenses to produce a cheaper version of the drug have been granted to three companies, including Cipla, who has local manufacturing plants. A starting date hasn’t been announced.

The other two companies who got licences are Indian corporations who are already producing antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment are Auribindo and Viatris.

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The Medicines Patent Pool is a United Nations-backed organisation that helps to negotiate licences for the generic production of medicines.

Cipla SA spokesperson Fidelia van der Linde says it’s unclear whether they will make the generic version of the anti-HIV drug from scratch or import the main ingredient and then only mix and bottle it in South Africa.

“However, most pharma companies in South Africa import their active [main] pharmaceutical ingredients,” van der Linde added.

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This article was originally published by CWENGA MAQHUBELA.