The South African Department of Health has awarded contracts for the supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for the treatment of HIV/Aids to public health facilities countrywide to seven different pharmaceutical companies, it said on Friday.
The R3,4-billion tender, which expires in 2007, has been awarded to local group Aspen Pharmacare, as well as global giants Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Abbot, Merck Sharp & Dome and GlaxoSmithKline, amongst others.
Commenting on the tender in a statement on Friday, Aspen Pharmacare said it had been awarded the lion’s share of the government’s tender.
Stephen Saad, Aspen Group CEO said: ”We are really pleased with the announcement, especially as Aspen, a local pharmaceutical manufacturer of world-class generic ARVs, has been selected to produce the bulk of the medicines needed to treat millions of South Africans inflicted with HIV/Aids. Our R200-million oral solid dosage facility based in Port Elizabeth was specifically established to provide additional capacity for the increased demand for generic medicines and ARVs in South Africa as well as other offshore regulated markets.”
The Health Department said provinces could expect the first delivery of ARV drugs in six to eight weeks. – I-Net Bridge