Health to treat Extreme Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB)
26 October 2006
Multi-national pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has donated to the South
African Department of Health 3 000 vials of an antibiotic drug, capreomycin
sulphate, initially developed for management of tuberculosis (TB).
The product is being reintroduced to benefit patients currently diagnosed
with XDR-TB in the country. Lilly has also made provision to supply an
additional 6 500 vials should the need arise in the country.
"Lilly is a willing partner of the South African government with this
pressing health issue and can assist with both training as well as
pharmaceutical interventions," said Managing Director of Lilly South Africa, Mr
Jim Ringer.
Capreomycin is not a new invention and has been used for the treatment of TB
before being replaced by the current first line of TB drugs with better
treatment outcomes. Capreomycin is being reintroduced because XDR-TB is
resistant to the current first and second line of drugs.
"We appreciate the contribution made by Eli Lilly in our TB control efforts.
We need to work together with pharmaceutical manufacturers to find new and
innovative tools to address the challenge TB presents in South Africa," said
the Director-General of the Department of Health, Thami Mseleku.
In 2004, Lilly formalised a partnership with Aspen Pharmacare to transfer
its technology for the manufacture of two antibiotics - capreomycin and
cycloserine - used in the treatment of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).
Aspen is currently constructing a parenteral manufacturing facility in Port
Elizabeth to manufacture the injectable TB product � capreomycin sulphate.
Aspen has applied for local registration and the Medicines Control Council
(MCC) is fast-tracking this application to ensure availability of the medicine
once the donated product is consumed.
In addition, Lilly has made a commitment to partner with the Democratic
Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), as well as other members of the
Global Stop TB Partnership, to help provide appropriate training to healthcare
professionals involved in treating XDR-TB patients countrywide.
Notes to journalists:
For more information about the Lilly MDR TB partnership, visit:
Website: http://www.lillyMDR-TB.com
About Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is
developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class
pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide
laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organisations.
About Aspen
Aspen Pharmacare is a major supplier of branded pharmaceutical and
healthcare products to the local and selected international markets with
offices in South Africa, UK and Australia. Website: http://www.aspenpharma.com/
Enquiries:
Isaac
Eli Lilly
Tel: (011) 510 9308
Sibani Mngadi
Department of Health
Tel: (012) 312 0763
Charity Bhengu
Department of Health
Tel: (012) 312 0420
Mandisa
Medicines Control Council
Cell: 082 774 8966
Issued by: Department of Health
26 October 2006
