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Mwakyusa: Govt set to build malaria drugs factory
2007-10-05 09:22:52
By Njonanje Samwel
The government has revealed plans to establish a factory for the production of artemether and lumefentrine (ALU) combination of drugs in a bid to minimize costs of treating malaria.
The Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. David Mwakyusa, disclosed the government plans in Dar es Salaam yesterday when he spoke to reporters on the last day of the visit of her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium.
Princess Astrid was in the country for a five-day tour as special representative of global initiative on the fight against malaria known as Roll Back Malaria partners.
Prof. Mwakyusa said the country was among growers of artemisia annua, a medicinal plant used in the manufacturing of artemesuline type of medicines.
He said the government had delayed to establish the factory to manufacture the drugs which are of high demand in the country due to the medicinal plants grown in the country possessing a high concentration of artemesuline chemical.
Prof. Mwakyusa said that, it was a shame for the country to export the plant and later import drugs made of the same plant.
He added that as long term plans, the government planned to establish a factory to produce anti-malaria drugs but pending enough time for increased productivity of the plants.
The plants are grown in two upcountry regions of Arusha and Iringa.
For her part, her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium applauded the considerable gains that the country had made in the fight against the killer disease whereby health workers and malaria partners had shown extraordinary commitment in their roles.
Princess Astrid said her visit to artemisia annua farm and a factory manufacturing impregnated mosquito nets, proved the country’s positive approach in the fight of the disease.
`Country`s advances in the fight against malaria has provided me with considerable personal insight and made very real the entire continent`s battle against this killer disease.
Great strides are being made, but these need to be sustained and extended for greater impact,` she noted.
For her part, Executive Director of Roll Back Malaria, Prof. Awa Marie Coll-Seck said that joint efforts were needed in order to win the fight.
`It is vital that all stakeholders continue to work together and focus on achieving results. Partnership is invaluable and the only way to confront and defeat this scourge,` she said.
Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium flew back to Belgium yesterday.
Drugs said to be the first-line in treating malaria, are sold at USD10 at private dispensing outlets but currently are given by public and faith based outlets at a very subsidized price of nearly 70 per cent.
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