The Pharmaceutical Research and Development Laboratory of Muhimbili School of Pharmacy has developed a formula for manufacturing of Efavirenz, an anti-retroviral (ARV) single therapy.

Mr Prosper Tibalinda, a representative of the Muhimbili School of Pharmacy told the ‘Daily News’ at the 36th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) yesterday that the technology to manufacture Efavirenz in tablet form was later transferred to a local company, Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industry (TPI) in Arusha.

Mr Tibalinda said the ARV single therapy is not new in the country, it is manufactured in India, however, the breakthrough means, the drug can now be manufactured locally. “The drug is manufactured in India, but now that we have managed to find on our own, the formula to make the drug, local pharmaceutical companies will now be able to produce them locally,” he explained.

He said the single therapy cannot be taken on its own, but in combination with two other drugs called Lamivudine and Tenofovir, which they have also been able to make. Mr Tibalinda noted that they have also managed to reduce the weight of one tablet to 800mg, making it smaller and easier to swallow compared with those made in India which are bigger in size and weighing 1,200mg.

The Muhimbili School of Pharmacy laboratory has conducted periodic tests of imported drugs to determine fake and  eal drugs in the market. One fake drug that was found in the local market is Cialis, which is used for treatment of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) as well as those with the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The drugs tested and found to be fake, were bought in Ilala, Bungoni, Rosana bar, Tip Top and Mererani in Arusha. “We plan to inform responsible authorities including the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA),” Mr Tibalinda said. They also conduct drug analysis for drug suppliers, such as Supply Chain Managed Systems of USA, and Achon Medeor Tanzania of Germany. The Pharmaceutical Research and Development Laboratory of Muhimbili School of Pharmacy is under the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS).

Source Tanzania Daily News

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