Government has introduced a new HIV drug called Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) which suppresses the viral load within 10 to 14 days.
Minister of Health Dr.Chitalu Chilufya who launched the new drug on Thursday evening in Lusaka said Zambia is the first country in the world to introduce TAF.
He said the drug which is co-formulated with Emtricitabine and Dolutegravir as one tablet known as TAFED is better and safer with less kidney side effects.
“TAF can be given to children of 25 kilograms and above as a single daily tablet,”Dr Chilufya said.
The Minister said the simplification led to harmonization of antiretroviral regimens between children and adults.
Dr Chillufya said he was optimistic the new drug will help Zambia achieve the epidemic control of HIV by 2021.
He thanked President Edgar Lungu for his unprecedented political will towards the attainment of Universal Health coverage.
Dr Chilufya also thanked cooperating partners singling out the United States government for being an all-time partner.