Tanzania probes fake HIV drugs

11 October 2012 Last updated at 14:37 ET

An investigation into the circulation of fake HIV drugs in Tanzania could lead to criminal prosecutions, the health minister has told the BBC.

Dr Hussein Mwinyi has suspended three top officials and stopped local production of the anti-retrovirals (ARVs) while the probe takes place.

He told the BBC Swahili Service he would "not allow people to play around with the lives of Tanzanians".

He said the police force and security services were involved in the probe.

Analysts say there is concern about the quality of locally made drugs given widespread corruption in political circles in the East Africa nation.

Earlier this year, a body overseeing public finances exposed rampant misuse of public funds, including in the health ministry. The scandal led to the sacking of seven ministers.

Dr Mwinyi said the health ministry was alerted in August to problems with a batch of ARV drugs at the Tarime District Hospital.

The batch, produced by the Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industry (TPI), was immediately recalled and subjected to further testing, which revealed that it was sub-standard.

The officials who were suspended on Wednesday work at the Medical Stores Department (MSD) and the production of all drugs by TPI has been halted while investigations are under way, the government-owned paper Tanzania Daily News reports.

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Tanzania probes fake HIV drugs