Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that the demand for the drugs would rise from Sh21 billion ($250 million) to Sh42 billion ($500 million) in the period to 2015.
“The number of people dying from HIV is lower than the number being infected hence there is need for more supplies,” said Pride Chigwedere, the coordinator, Universal Access UNAID. WHO said AIDS would open opportunities in diagnostics, drugs for opportunistic infections, and broader public health issues.
Mr Pride said people using the drug are living longer meaning that investments in ARV manufacturing are assured of the market. He was speaking to a delegation of Chinese pharmaceutical companies in Nairobi on Thursday.
The penetration of ARV drugs in Kenya is 61 per cent with the number of persons on ARV at 430,000 compared to 705,000 who are eligible. Uganda has 47 per cent penetration with 250,000 on ARVs compared to 530,000 who are eligible while Tanzania has 42 per cent with 260,000 on ARVs and 620,000 are eligible.
