The Price is Right? Promoting local production for ARVs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract
Affordability is a key concern of European donors who finance antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to treat AIDS in Sub-Saharan African countries. In-country manufacture of ARV drugs could favourably affect ARV access through increased affordability; however, generics are a volume-based market, relying on economies of scale. It is a challenge for sub-Saharan African countries to reduce their prices below those of large-scale manufacturers in India. Additionally, these medicines must meet WHO prequalification standards. While the cost of second-line ARVs remains a concern, donors should focus resources on other components of ARV access, such as the supply of human resources for health, health infrastructure and issues of sustainable financing.
Citation
Wilson, K.; Cohen-Köhler, J.; Whiteside, A. The Price is Right? Promoting local production for ARVs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eurohealth -London- (2008) 14 (2) 29-32.
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The Price is Right? Promoting local production for ARVs in Sub-Saharan Africa.