Over the years, CiplaQCI has made huge strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria through increasing access to vital medicines.
In the last 10 years, 150 million doses of anti-malarials have been supplied to public and private facilities and 10 million packs of ARVs for HIV patients distributed to nine countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Pakistan, Cameroon, Comoros Island, South Sudan and Zambia.
The company now sees opportunities for more funding in order to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target by 2020, where 90% of persons living with HIV will be receiving sustained ARV treatment, thereby assuring viral suppression.
Uganda and Africa have faced serious threats from the disease. Cancer cases have been on the rise with an estimated 800,000 cases in Uganda alone. Yet, only 4% of those with cancer have access to care.
Evidence further suggests that cancer survival rates in Uganda are as low as 13% except for breast cancer, which stands at 46%. This is a significant disparity with the developed world where survival rates peak at 95%. Close to 40% of the cancer cases are infection related cancers such as cancer of the cervix, liver, head, neck and lymphomas.
Despite these alarming figures, 30% of all cancers are curable. At least 30% can be treated by palliation to improve the quality of life, while a similar percentage can be prevented through lifestyle changes and immunisation.
For now, CiplaQCIL believes that the great disparities in cancer survival rates between Uganda and the developed countries can be bridged. The firm proposes developing local solutions through public-private partnerships.
Cipla Ltd, the majority shareholder in the CiplaQCIL has been a major player in cancer treatment in Uganda releasing a number of generic drugs for cancer from India and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, as part of its growth strategy, CiplaQCIL is evaluating an initial public offering with Renaissance Capital (Kenya) Limited being appointed official book runner.
