adminAshley Mujoma
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has urged pharmaceuticals to prioritise the health of its clients over amassing profits.
The Foundation’s director advocacy, policy and marketing African Bureau, Oluwakemi Gbadamosi, said Western pharmaceuticals like Gilead, have continued to exploit third world countries by overpricing medication.
“Gilead has priced several of its HIV and hepatitis C drugs out of reach for many people.
“It has refused to register some drugs in developing countries and consistently blocks attempts to introduce cheaper generic versions of its medicines.
“Gilead must put lives before profits.
“A highly effective hepatitis C drug costs US$1 000 per pill and a 12-week course of treatment has a retail price of over US$90 000,” said Gbadamosi.
The Foundation’s country programme manager, Dr Enerst Chikwati, said Zimbabwe, and other developing countries, should invest in manufacturing their own drugs to cut costs and guarantee availability.
“We need to establish our own pharmaceutical and manufacturing plants.
“We have to put in a lot of effort in research and development of our drugs.
“As a country we should approach the government to run tests and put more effort into developing our drugs,” said Chikwati.
Online Reporter