Brazil plant to produce AIDS drug

MAPUTO, Mozambique (Agence France-Presse) — Brazil will build a plant in Mozambique to produce generic AIDS drugs in the southern African country, where more than one million people are living with HIV and AIDS, said its visiting foreign minister.

“We already have the financing to carry out feasibility studies for this factory,” said Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorin, as he wrapped up a one-day visit to Mozambique last week.

“Health Ministry officials will come to discuss the final details,” Mr. Amorin said in remarks broadcast on television.

Some 12.2 percent of adults, or 1.3 million people, are living with HIV and AIDS in Mozambique, according to the United Nations’ AIDS agency.

No date has been set for the start of constructing the pharmaceutical plant.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited Mozambique in 2003, and Mozambique’s then-President Joaquim Chissano paid a return visit to Brazil in August last year.

Both countries are former Portuguese colonies.