Missing the Target #5: Improving AIDS Drug Access ... - CD8 T cells

As of November 2007, the unit cost of ART per patient per year could not beascertained. Several attempts were made by the researchers to obtain thisinformation from the staff of the Federal Ministry of Health, but they refused todisclose the information stating that “official approval to release such informationwas required.”Government budgetary allocations for ARVsYearAmount2001 N100,000,000 ($825,000)2002 N450,000,000 ($3.71 million)2003 N850,000,000 ($7 million)2004 N1,500,000,000 ($12.36 million)2005 N845,730,000 ($6.97 million)2006 N2,480,926,173 ($20.44 million)Source: NASCAP 2007PEPFAR program implementers, meanwhile, partner with other organizationsto facilitate the procurement of ART. For instance, Family Health International’sGlobal HIV/AIDS Initiative Nigeria (FHI/GHAIN), which runs one of the largestPEPFAR-implemented ART programs in Nigeria, partners with Axios International, acorporation specializing in health care systems for chronic disease management anddrug delivery. Axios manages the procurement and distribution of GHAIN’s ARVsas well as drugs for treating HIV-related OIs. With USAID support, Axios obtainedapproval from Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration andControl (NAFDAC) to import ARVs into the country. NAFDAC representativesmeet each shipment of medicines as it arrives and take samples to test for qualityassurance. 2Under the Global Fund-supported grant, the Principal Recipient (NASCAP) procuresARVs, test kits, laboratory reagents, and other consumables through Crown Agents.MSF procures abacavir (ABC) from GlaxoSmithkline (GSK), Nigeria; all of its otherARVs are imported. 3Suppliers of ARVsNIGERIAMajor sources of ARVs in Nigeria include international pharmaceutical companiesand Indian generic drug manufacturers Ranbaxy and Cipla. In addition, severaldomestic pharmaceutical companies are producing ARVs locally (both adult andpediatric formulations). In a bid to increase market share, the local manufacturersare calling on the Nigerian government to increase tariffs on imported ARVs and todiscourage aid agencies and foreign governments from donating free drugs. 42 FHI/GHAIN newsletter. “Axios International’s Groundwork Allows GHAIN to Provide AntiretroviralTherapy.” June 2005.3 Interview with MSF Campaigner/Communications Officer.4 PLUS News. “NIGERIA: Local ARV manufacturers want state support.” October 12, 2007.www.plusnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=7476687