NACA has initiated agreements for local production of antiretrovirals, says DG

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) says agreements have been initiated for the local production of active ingredients for antiretroviral drugs.

Temitope Ilori, NACA director-general, spoke at a press conference in Abuja, ahead of the 2024 World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day is commemorated on December 1 and the theme for 2024 is ‘Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children, and End AIDS in Nigeria by 2030’.

Ilori said under the current administration, and with the support of partners, NACA has recorded significant strides in transforming Nigeria’s HIV response.

She said the agency launched the preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) acceleration committee, a critical step in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

“Through partnerships, we have initiated agreements to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for the African region, with a view to manufacturing antiretrovirals, test kits, and other HIV-related commodities locally, ensuring sustainability and health security,” she said.

“Through strategic advocacy, we have re-established trust with donors and partners, evident in renewed collaborations and increased resource commitments.”

Ilori said despite Nigeria’s progress in tackling HIV and preventing mother-to-child transmission, coverage remains below 33 percent — well below the 95 percent target.

She said efforts must be made to scale up prevention of mother-to-child transmission services nationwide, promote universal access to free antenatal care, abolish user fees for PMTCT services nationwide, and expand health insurance schemes to include comprehensive HIV care for everyone.

Funmi Adesanya, country coordinator for the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), said Nigeria’s HIV response journey has been “remarkable”.

She said in order to sustain the gains made, Nigeria must invest in resilient and inclusive healthcare systems that ensure uninterrupted access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

“We must think about sustaining the gains that we’ve made over the last 21 years in maintaining people on treatment and making sure the rates of new infections decrease,” she said.