Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - December 3, 2001
Mukula said this on Saturday during the World Aids Day celebrations in Kampala. He said some local drug companies had expressed interest in making the drugs.
The decision comes a few days after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) allowed Uganda and other developing countries that declared HIV/AIDS national emergencies to manufacture AIDS drugs.
"We are in consultation with players in the drug and legal sectors to have the income tax act amended. This is a matter of national priority and urgency to have the drugs locally manufactured,' he said. He said the amendment would be tabled before the Parliament.
Anti retroviral drugs are used to boost immunity of HIV persons to prolong their lives.
A dose currently costs about shs200,000 per month which many infected Ugandans can not afford.
"We hope to work closely with pharmaceutical firms in bringing down the costs. Tax holidays is one of them. We hope to attract investors," Mukula added. The theme for this years Aids day was 'Men and Aids; I care ...Do you?' focuses on men to take a more active role to reverse the transmission rates.
Dr Kihumuro Apuuli, the Director General of Uganda Aids Commission, recently said multinational research firms had allowed Ugandan firms to make drugs.
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