Ghana negotiating for the local production of retroviral drugs

The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Moses Dani Baah has said the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) was working out the possibility of producing generic retroviral drugs locally to help suppress the effect of the HIV/AIDS in the victims.

He however emphasised that the drug was not a cure for the disease and urged the people to protect themselves against contracting the disease through abstinence and protective sex.

Mr Dani Baah was answering a question on what the government was doing to help combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic at a Peoples' Assembly at Begoro in the Fanteakwa District on Monday. He said the drug which currently cost 22 dollars per a day's dosage, could cost a dollar if the deal went through.

On the policy of exempting the aged, under five and pregnant women from paying for medical treatment, Mr Dani Baah said, even though, the policy still existed, it was difficult getting adequate funding.