Hope for First African-manufactured HIV Rapid Diagnostic Kit
There is hope for first African-manufactured Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Unitaid are partnering to accelerate process.
Unitaid is a global health initiative that works with partners to bring about innovations to prevent, diagnose and treat major diseases in low- and middle-income countries, with emphasis on tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its deadly co-infections.
Global Fund, in a statement, yesterday, said, in partnership with PEPFAR and Unitaid, it was calling for Expression of Interest (EOI) for African manufacturers of HIV RDTs to accelerate availability of quality assured RDTs in Africa.
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According to Global Fund, by issuing this call for EOI, it was inviting manufacturers of HIV in-vitro diagnostic products conducting some, or all, of the manufacturing steps in Africa to submit their product information for review.
It said once a submission is accepted, the ERPD – an independent panel of technical experts convened by WHO – will conduct an assessment of potential risks linked to procurement and use of such diagnostic products that have not yet been prequalified by WHO or authorised for use through a stringent regulatory review.
Executive Director of Global Fund, Peter Sands, said: “Promoting capacity building for regional manufacturing is important, particularly in Africa, to contribute to building resilient health systems and driving equitable access to quality-assured products. As a global health partnership, Global Fund is poised to support this work, recognising that it is owned and led by the continent.”
Director General for WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “WHO welcomes this important initiative, which addresses two key priorities: the need for a reliable supply of rapid HIV test kits, so that everyone with HIV in Africa can access lifesaving treatment; and the need for enhanced local manufacturing of medical products in Africa, to build capacities and reduce reliance on imports.
