Contamination of the AIDS drug, Viracept, has created panic among HIV-positive Zambians on antiretroviral therapy, who fear other AIDS drugs may not be safe.
Roche, the Swiss company that manufactures the drug, announced that some batches of Viracept had been accidentally contaminated with mesylate (methane sulfonic acid ethylester), prompting a recall of the product from European Union markets.
The contaminant can cause cancerous tumours and genetic mutation that could harm unborn children if used during pregnancy.
Roche found the contamination while investigating reports from patients that the Viracept tablets they were taking had an unusual smell.
MANGE BERØRTE
Zambia’s health minister, Brian Chituwo, last week announced the immediate discontinuation of the drug, and ordered health workers to explain the incident to affected people.
About 1.6 million of Zambia’s 11.7 million people are infected with HIV, but only 100,000 are currently receiving treatment at state health facilities.
The government estimates that fewer than 1,000 of the people on ARVs – about one percent – are taking Viracept, but independent analysts say the number could be much higher.
Kilde: www.irinnews.org
