Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Catherine Tomlinson for Spotlight
Published on 2024-03-04 12:51:08
In a significant development for HIV prevention in South Africa, a local company has secured the rights to manufacture a vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral drug dapivirine. The ring, which is inserted and removed by the user, provides protection for a month and is seen as a discreet and convenient option for women in need of HIV prevention tools. While studies have shown that the dapivirine ring is not as effective as pills and injections in preventing HIV, it still offers important benefits that have led the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend its inclusion in the package of sexual health services available to women.
One key advantage of the ring is its ability to empower women to take control of their own health and bodies without the need to negotiate with their partners. This is particularly crucial in South Africa, where high rates of gender-based violence undermine women’s autonomy over their sexual and reproductive health. Prominent African activists have emphasized the importance of providing women with a range of safe and effective options, including the dapivirine ring, to choose from based on their individual needs and circumstances.
However, limited access to the ring due to its high price has been a barrier to its broad use in South Africa. The DapiRing, the only dapivirine vaginal ring approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, is currently available in the private sector at a cost of R320, excluding dispensing fees. The ring is not available in the public sector outside of study and pilot sites due to affordability concerns. To address this issue, the Population Council has selected South African pharmaceutical company Kiara Health to manufacture and supply the ring across Africa.
Kiara Health’s CEO, Dr. Skhumbuzo Ngozwana, has expressed that the company aims to make the ring more affordable than the current price of the DapiRing. The council’s decision to partner with an African-based manufacturing company is a notable departure from the typical trend of seeking Asian partners for health technology manufacturing. The hope is that this partnership will contribute to regional self-reliance and create opportunities for future technology transfers to other African manufacturers.
To establish local manufacturing capacity for the dapivirine ring, critical steps such as technology transfer, securing financing, and procuring necessary equipment and regulatory approvals need to be completed. Kiara Health plans to import manufacturing equipment and active pharmaceutical ingredients from Europe initially, with the potential to partner with Pretoria-based API manufacturer CPT Pharma in the future. The company is actively engaging potential funders to support the manufacturing process and exploring various financing sources to ensure success.
Looking ahead, Kiara Health aims to position itself as a key player in the manufacturing of vaginal rings and other sexual and reproductive health technologies. The partnership with the Population Council has the potential to pave the way for broader manufacturing opportunities and the development of new prevention technologies in the future. By taking steps to increase access to the dapivirine ring and enhance local manufacturing capabilities, South Africa is moving closer to achieving its goal of empowering women and reducing the spread of HIV.
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