Local production and purchases from neighboring countries are options under consideration as Vietnam prepares to continue free distribution of antiretroviral drugs after global sponsorship of the program ends in 2012.

At present two domestic companies are producing ARV drugs that are used for first-line treatment, but they are yet to have pre-test certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) and be certified by the US Food and Drug Administration, Duong said.

“So, the drugs for AIDS patients have mostly come from sponsors,” he added.

VAAC plans to cooperate with WHO and certify domestic ARV drug manufacturers, and since locally produced drugs are less costly than imported ones, they will decrease costs and enable distribution through the local health insurance system, he added.

Another plan is to import drugs from the Southeast Asian region also at reasonable prices.

Vietnam now has 207 locations nationwide distributing ARV drugs for free, meeting 42.7 percent of the demand, Duong said.

It is estimated that by December this year 35,000 patients, including 2,500 children, will be given ARV drugs, he said, adding that the patients who are in need of the second-line treatment, which calls for supplementary new drugs, are increasing.

Duong said the ARV treatment program will be expanded to more locations to include new patients, while adequate supply of drugs for older patients will be maintained.

Started in 2004, the program sponsored by international agencies including the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Clinton’s HIV/AIDS Initiative has been providing free ARV drugs for HIV/AIDS patients.

To receive free ARV drugs, patients must meet requirements and have to commit themselves to voluntary and long-term treatment, Duong said.

Reported by Lien Chau