‘Buy local anti-retroviral drugs’
The Network for Persons Living with HIV/AIDs (NAP+ Ghana) has appealed to the government to purchase locally manufactured anti-retroviral (AVR) drugs to reduce shortages in the country.
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At a news conference in Accra, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of NAP+ Ghana, Mr Raymond Ahorlu, said procurement processes and delays in the clearing of consignments from the harbour to the medical stores resulted in shortages in the various health centres.
That situation, he explained, did not help persons living with the disease.
According to him, the government relies on Danadams Pharmaceutical Limited only when there are shortages in the system, and thinks that resourcing the company to handle all of Ghana’s supply is appropriate.
“Our neighbouring countries such as Togo, Ivory Coast and Benin get their AVR drugs from the local manufacturer in Ghana. We, therefore, do not understand why AVR drugs are made in our own country and we continue to suffer,” Mr Ahorlu added.
Benefits
Speaking on the benefits of purchasing locally manufactured AVR drugs, Mr Ahorlu said the locally manufactured drugs could help achieve the zero HIV-related death project by the UNAIDS, since inclusion of the local AVR drug on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) could be made possible for persons who could not afford to pay the GH¢5 to access treatment.
“Because it is also available here, the supply system will be very quick and easy to deliver to the regions,” he said.
Besides, he said, it would facilitate job creation.
Effects of shortage
Mr Ahorlu said persons living with the disease suffered dire consequences when the drugs were not available, adding that some of them had lost their jobs as a result of constant permission from work to visit the hospital, while others had developed resistance and had died as a result.
The NAP+ Chairman called on all civil society groups and stakeholders to advocate that the drug be locally manufactured.
Daily Graphic/Ghana