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Generic AIDS drug on shelves soon

    JOHANNESBURG

    South Africa's largest generic drug manufacturer on Wednesday said its first ever locally produced HIV/AIDS drug could soon hit the country's shelves.

    Aspen Pharmacare chief executive officer, Linda Philip, said in a statement: "We are hopeful it's close to market, and that we will have the first legal South African registered generic to market."

    Although Aspen Pharmacare was still awaiting approval from the country's Medicines Control Council (MCC) for the generic drug, Stavudine, Phillip said the medication was "symbolically important" and would go to market at a more easily accessible price.

    Bristol-Myers Squibb recently waived its rights to the original composition, saying it would not sue Aspen if it manufactured the generic Stavudine and sold it to 43 African countries.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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