ARUSHA, Dec. 2 -- THE Tanzanian government has stepped up efforts to restore local production of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, on Monday inspected the Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (TPI) plant in Arusha to assess its readiness for reopening.

Dr Shekalaghe said the visit follows a directive by the Minister for Health, Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, instructing the ministry to fast-track the revival of the factory, which has been inactive for several years.

“This plant must be brought back to life so that it can return to producing essential medicines. It has been idle for too long, and the minister tasked me to evaluate what is needed for production to res...