Official figures say 5.4 percent of Nigeria's massive population of some 126 million people are infected with HIV, and there are concerns that the rate is rising rapidly.

The west African country launched the first trial of cheap, generic AIDS drugs imported from India to fight the epidemic in December 2001. On Thursday it introduced locally manufactured AIDS drugs into the Nigerian market.

Health Minister Eyitayo Lambo said the launch of AVOLAM (Lamivudine), Azido (Zidovudine) and NEVRAN (Nevirapine) by Ranbaxy Nigeria Limited will help prolong the lives of Nigeriana afflicted with the deadly virus.

"The launch of the products provides an opportunity for parents and guardians of children living with HIV/AIDS for greater access to drugs that can help the treatment of loved ones," he said, according to his office.

He said the government will continue to provide treatment, care and support to people living with the disease, adding that it hopes to achieve more than 80 percent local production of generic drug needs within the next three years.

"Our commitment in this regard is unflinching as demonstrated by increase in budgetary allocation for the procurement of ARVs", he added.

He said the drugs will be distributed to designated treatment centres at subsidised rates to allow sufferers have access to cheap ARVs.

TERRA.WIRE