Tanzania To Introduce Generic Version Of ARV Drug Dolutegravir For HIV/Aids

Tanzanian government has lately announced to be introducing generic version of the anti-retroviral drug Dolutegravir (DTG) in the country for the treatment of HIV/Aids treatment. Kenya was the first country in Africa to make use of the drug.

Ms Ummy Mwalimu, Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, said Tuesday the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) is registration and licensing the new drug, which was first approved in 2013 by the United States. Before rolling out the DTG in Africa about 20,000 patients were treated with it in Kenya.

By the end of 2017 the new drug will be introduced in Nigeria and Uganda too. It will be backed up by the global health initiative working to end tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and malaria epidemics, Unitai.

Mwalimu added, “Shipments (of the drug) are scheduled to start in January 2018 after the TFDA’s registration process is completed.”

The brand name of DTG is Tivicay and is currently produced by ViiV Healthcare, majorly owned by British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.

Mwalimu continued the new drug will be used in combination with other ARVs in the country.

However, she didn’t mention how the newly introduced drug would be procured without importing from Kenya.

Meanwhile, Uganda said to be importing it later this month and implemented on those patients who have developed resistance to other drugs.