Another indigenous pharmaceutical company based in Alagbado, Lagos, has come out with a fixed dose combination anti retroviral consisting of Lamivudine, Stavudine and Nevirapine. According to Tony Ihenatu, Chairman of Archy Phamaceutical, Archivir, as the drug is called will address the twin problem of affordability and availability faced by many who require treatment.

He went further to suggest that the drug is also well positioned to combat resistance in patients, since non compliance that comes with taking multiple combination of drugs have been addressed by Archivir which comes in daily dosage of 1 tablet in the morning and at night. "Studies have shown that patients comply more with taking ARV drugs once or twice in a day, and like every other three-in-one, it would increase and enhance compliance".

Archy Pharmaceutical is said to be in active collaboration with the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, USA. Ihenatu also disclosed that by April they will commence production of Nevirapine syrup for the control of fetal maternal transmission of the virus.

Since the drugs have received approval from NAFDAC, the local agency responsible for registration of wholesome food and drugs, we will want to belief that the drugs have passed the necessary stages of trials.

Archy Pharmaceutical Company has now joined Fidson drugs, making two the number of indigenous ARV manufacturer in Nigeria.