HIV/Aids in Africa 2001

3.4m new infections 2.3m deaths 28m living with Aids Life expectancy: 47 years Without Aids: 62 years 44% of pregnant urban women in Botswana HIV+

Recent figures published by the Ministry of Health indicate that almost 3.5 million Nigerians are believed to be infected with the HIV virus.

But there is considerable doubt whether such a generic drugs programme is the most appropriate way to tackle HIV infection in Nigeria.

The Nigerian experiment in tackling the Aids pandemic will be closely observed across Africa.

Prevention urged

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly endorsed the trials.

However, critics of the programme have questioned the ability of the country's poorly managed health system to cope with the close monitoring of patients required during the administering of the anti-HIV drugs.

Moreover, critics argue that whatever resources are available should be put into HIV prevention.

But those in favour of the trials point to the widespread use of similar but much more costly drugs in Europe and the United States and ask why Africans should be deprived of the chance to live a longer, healthier life despite HIV infection.

Multinational drug companies have strongly opposed the sale of generic copies of their own branded drugs, arguing that it reduces their profits and undermines their ability to invest in further research and development.

But following a court case in South Africa early this year, the argument for prohibiting developing countries from purchasing such generic drugs has been considerably weakened.

As for the Nigerian trials, there is already considerable doubt whether sufficient drugs have yet arrived in the country to stage an effective drugs programme.