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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Tuesday, 27 July, 2004, 21:24 GMT 22:24 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigeria to make cheap Aids drugs By Sola Odunfa BBC, Lagos Some 4 million Nigerians are estimated to be living with Aids Nigeria is to get its first plant for manufacturing anti-retroviral drugs for people living with HIV and Aids. The plant is expected to bring cheaper medication for the millions of Nigerians afflicted by the disease. It is wholly owned by a group of Nigerians living in the US who answered an appeal by President Olusegun Obasanjo for investment from expats. At a ceremony to commission the plant, the president's wife described it as "yet another dividend of democracy". She also said it represented "a powerful synergy between patriotism and professionalism" - a reference to the investors' background as health professionals. Alagbado village, near Lagos, has been chosen as the location for the Archy Pharmaceuticals Company plant. It represents a major milestone in the campaign by the Nigerian government for investment in the domestic economy by Nigerians living abroad. Export plans An estimated four million Nigerians are living with Aids - about 6% of the adult population. The company's managing director, Prince Chijioke Ofomata says the state-of-the-art plant conforms to international standards. He said the company chose to manufacture anti-retroviral drugs because of the rising incidence of HIV/Aids in Africa and because most of those infected could not afford essential drugs. The company, he said, aimed to produce "branded generics and make them affordable to Nigerians and other people in Africa". Mr Ofomata said the drug will be exported to other African countries in about two years. Health Minister Professor Eyitayo Lambo said the increased local production of qualitative, safe and affordable drugs would reduce the incidence of fake and sub-standard drugs - a major problem in Nigeria. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectNew militia atrocities in Sudan'Mercenary leader' pleads guiltyImam slams Kenya hostage responseUS bans Ghanaian state airlineNigeria signs Zimbabwean farmersNigeria to make cheap Aids drugsAfrican states plan locust battleLibya gets go-ahead for WTO talksArab press sharpens tone on DarfurOdumbe 'knew bookmaker'Tutsis boycott Burundi talksAngolan politician falls to deathSudan Islamist leader in hospitalSouth Africa's crime-buster quitsNigerians seek Taylor trialKillings by pirates on the riseSudan aid delivery 'a risky business'Profile: Edward ClayDo absent dads hurt the family?"Mummy, do I have a daddy?"Do you have a story to tell?Programmes and schedules  HIV AND AIDS BANGKOK CONFERENCE Mandela calls for more Aids funds Children missing out on HIV drugs Annan urges US to fight Aids HIV funds failing to reach target Bush's Aids policy faces scrutiny End workplace Aids bias, UN says FEATURES Aids apathy India has one of the highest infection rates but won't talk about it Women's key role Botswana turns corner An Aids widower's view Japan's Aids time bomb China finally faces up to Aids Helping others ANALYSIS Conference achievements Centre stage for developing world BACKGROUND The biology of Aids Map: Global spread of HIV HAVE YOUR SAY What did the conference achieve? TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW New militia atrocities in Sudan 'Mercenary leader' pleads guilty Imam slams Kenya hostage response US bans Ghana airline News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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