New low-cost HIV drug launched in Uganda

The Ugandan government has launched a cheaper one-pill-a-day drug for HIV treatment. 

The single-dose drug costs only $ 13 per month and replaces the cumbersome 12-drug cocktail that used to be the only option for people with the fatal human immuno-deficiency virus. 

The Ugandan Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, who launched the drug on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni said the new drug is manufactured by a Ugandan company. 

He said new facilities would be constructed to manufacture more ARVs and anti-malarial drugs at lower costs. 

Uganda still falls short of its goal of ensuring that 80 percent of people living with HIV receive ARVs by the end of this year. 

At present, just half of the one point five million in need of HIV treatment in the country are on the life-prolonging ARVs. 

XINHUANEWS