Kenya to manufacture new once-monthly HIV prevention pill: Key things to know about this deal
Kenya is set to become one of the first African countries preparing to manufacture a new HIV prevention medicine that could allow people at risk of infection to take one pill a month instead of taking a tablet every day. The medicine, known as alimatravir, or MK-8527, is being developed by pharmaceutical giant Merck, known […]
Nairobi, Kenya, Sep 28 - In a groundbreaking move, Kenya has been granted the exclusive rights to manufacture a new once-monthly HIV prevention pill, alimatravir, before the medicine completes final clinical trials. The local pharmaceutical company Universal Corporation Limited (UCL) is among seven generic drugmakers chosen by Merck, the pharmaceutical company behind the investigational medicine, to produce or supply generic versions of alimatravir if it is proven safe and effective and receives regulatory approval.
This licensing arrangement is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, with Aspen Pharmacare of South Africa and Uganda’s Quality Chemical Industries Limited being the other African manufacturers. Kenya joins a select group of three African countries — alongside South Africa and Uganda — set to produce the drug for African markets.
The government of Kenya sees this agreement as a significant step towards expanding domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthening local health-sector capabilities.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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