Global Fund procures African-manufactured ARVs for Mozambique

 MOZAMBIQUE— The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has achieved a landmark breakthrough by procuring, for the first time, a first-line HIV treatment manufactured entirely in Africa.

This milestone centers on the purchase of lifesaving, quality-assured antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) known as TLD, which combines tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir.

These medicines have been prequalified by the World Health Organization, ensuring they meet rigorous global standards for safety and effectiveness.

The ARVs were sourced from Universal Corporation Ltd., a leading pharmaceutical company in Kenya, and delivered to Mozambique, where the supplied volume will be sufficient to treat over 72,000 people each year.

This achievement is not just about numbers; it represents a strategic shift in the fight against HIV and other public health threats in Africa.

Hui Yang, Head of Supply Operations at the Global Fund, emphasized that this step demonstrates the organization’s commitment to promoting regional manufacturing and building local capacity.

By fostering pharmaceutical production within Africa, the Global Fund aims to strengthen supply security, reduce reliance on imports, and expand access to affordable, quality-assured health products across the continent.

This approach is also expected to enhance global health security by making supply chains more resilient to disruptions.

Dr. Ussene Hilário Isse, Mozambique’s Minister of Health, expressed pride in Mozambique being among the first recipients of these African-made ARVs.

He highlighted that Africa’s growing ability to produce essential medicines locally is reducing dependency on external sources and enabling faster, more effective responses to public health challenges.

Dr. Isse reaffirmed Mozambique’s commitment to working with partners to build a robust and sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Africa, which will benefit not only Mozambicans but all Africans.

The Global Fund’s efforts are part of a broader initiative to build regional capacity for manufacturing and procurement in Africa.

The organization collaborates with partners such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), African Regional Economic Communities, the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation, and Unitaid.

These partnerships are crucial for advancing local production of not only ARVs but also antimalarial medicines, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and other essential health products, all while adhering to strict quality assurance standards.

Mark Edington, Head of Grant Management at the Global Fund, reiterated that accelerating the procurement and delivery of competitively priced, quality African-made health products remains a top priority.

The Global Fund is committed to deepening collaboration with Africa’s growing health product manufacturing sector, ensuring that more people across the continent can access the treatment and prevention tools they need.

Through its NextGen market shaping approach, the Global Fund is working closely with partners to speed up the introduction of new health products, support capacity building for regional manufacturing, and promote sustainable supply chains.

The initial focus is on Africa, where there is the greatest gap between the high demand for quality-assured health products and the available local supply.

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