Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited and Community Investment Holdings (CIH), South Africa, has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture, Sonke Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd, to market and sell Ranbaxy's range of anti-retroviral (ARV) products in South Africa and other African markets. Ranbaxy will hold 70% equity, while CIH will have a 30% stake in this JV.

The JV will market the products under the trademark 'Sonke' in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The product delivery mechanism to the patients will be through government tenders, retail pharmacists, HIV/AIDS disease management companies, medical aids, non governmental organisations and independent community treatment organisations, informs the company release.

Commenting on the formation of the JV, the chief executive officer of Ranbaxy (SA) (Pty) Ltd, Desmond Brothers said, "Ranbaxy is delighted to join hands with CIH. This arrangement will allow us to serve the afflicted patients in the African market by providing them with quality ARV medicines at affordable prices."

Dr Anna Mokgokong, the executive chairperson of CIH said that CIH will enable the JV to access the South African market as well as make available its expertise to gain entry in the new markets of Botswana and Namibia. Presently dossiers have been submitted to the regulatory authorities of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia and the Company expects approvals soon.

Sotse Segoneco, chief executive officer of Sonke said, "We have been granted one voluntary licence and are now able to commence business so that we can bring treatment to thousands of HIV-positive people through public and private facilities and in other African markets."

She also said that since 2001, Ranbaxy has been providing ARV medicines of high quality at affordable prices to AIDS/HIV affected countries, for patients who might not otherwise be able to gain access to this therapy.

Ranbaxy has filed a range of ARVs for US FDA approvals and has begun to receive tentative approvals from the US FDA under the PEPFAR programme. In the recent past, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, has also included a number of Ranbaxy's ARVs in its pre-qualification list.

The Actuarial Society of South Africa estimates around 1.5 million people having died of AIDS in South Africa and more than 5.2 million South Africans (11% out of the population) living with HIV.

CIH is a 100% holding company within key areas of health, technology, power and energy and logistics. The company is involved in manufacturing and distribution of medical and pharmaceutical supplies, supply and servicing healthcare equipment.