Now there is hope to defeat AIDS

SIR —I read with hope that Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries (KPI) was ready to manufacture AIDS drugs. (The New Vision, July 30) this would be great for Uganda and Africa at large especially the great Lakes region where Aids has hit many. The problem, however, is the tight patent laws that protect firms which invested in research. But can’t the international community come to the rescue of Africa and convince these international pharmaceutical companies to allow our local companies to manufacture these drugs? The international community should know by this time that the question of Aids in Uganda and Africa is an emergency. If not well-handled, Aids will soon wipe out the potential population on this continent. To avoid this catastrophe, African governments should go ahead and encourage their local pharmaceutical companies to manufacture these drugs. And supply them to the local population at affordable prices. Hopefully, the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the National Drug Authority will come up with positive results from their discussion and give local pharmaceutical companies a chance to save the poor. After all, other countries like India and Thailand are making copies of these drugs and I don’t think that they invested in the initial research. they may only have paid for the patents. If it means so, then Uganda should do something now and save the poor population. Rolland Mubangizi Kampala SIR—It is good news that developing countries have now been given green light to manufacture antiritroviral drugs. Uganda was losing so many young and productive citizens long after western countries were treating AIDS as an incurable but manageble disease. The effective management of the disease has a direct bearing on the economic and social success of any country in the world. So, what AIDS has been doing is that it has been widening the already yawning chasm between the wealthy North and the impoverished South. This is great news and we are getting somewhere. Uganda has been a shining example in the crusase against the disease. Ironically, neighbouring countries thought Uganda was the most afflicted country. The policy of being honest and practical and has stood our country in good stead. People like the late Bongoley Lutaaya will always be remembered because they surprised and helped people to handle the disease effectively. Joyce Kansiime, Jinja