LUSAKA, Aug. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Zambia has started producing anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) for AIDS patients with assistance from Cuba, Health Minister Brian Chituwo has said.

    "We have started the manufacture of ARVs in the country. Batches of the drug have been produced but we need a compulsory license from the Ministry of Commerce to enable us put the drugs on the market," he was quoted as saying by independent newspaper Sunday Post.

    Chituwo said various regulatory issues have to be sorted out before the drug could be put on the market, including certifications from the World Health Organization and the Poison Board.

    Zambia, with a population of 11 million, has seen its HIV/AIDS prevalence rate dropping from 26 percent to 16 over recent years.

    In related development, the health minister also said that preparations have started for AIDS vaccine trials in Zambia, through the Zambia Emory AIDS Vaccine Project in association with International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

    "We hope we can start this year after we explore consultations with various stakeholders to review regulations that govern vaccine trial," he said.

    According to Chituwo, AIDS vaccine trials have been done in Belgium, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.

    Vaccine could change the whole picture of AIDS and also change aspects of prevention, he said. Enditem