LiSwati gets SA permit to make HIV ‘wonder drug’
MBABANE – While Eswatini is still dragging its feet in the enactment of the Cannabis Bill, a liSwati has been granted a permit to use cannabis for the manufacturing of an HIV-treatment drug in South Africa (SA).
Unlike medicines that are sometimes taken for the rest of one’s life, only one dose is said to be enough for the ‘wonder drug’ to work effectively. The enactment of the Cannabis Bill would allow emaSwati to use cannabis for medicinal use. Eswatini is known for producing some THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)-rich cannabis.
THC is the compound that gives cannabis its ‘feel-good’ effect when used for recreational purposes. However, this is also the same when used for medicinal purposes. Should the local Health Bill be enacted, emaSwati will still not be permitted to use cannabis for recreational purposes.
According to a research organisation called the Prohibition Partners, Eswatini grows more outdoor cannabis (dagga) than what is grown in the whole of India, outdoor. Eswatini is also a major source of cannabis despite that currently, it is illegal to grow, sell or transport dagga.
It is also a crime to be found in the possession of dagga as stipulated in the Opium and Habit-forming Drugs Act No. 37 of 1922 and the Pharmacy Act No. 38 of 1929. In countries such as Canada and SA, the use of cannabis for medicinal or recreation is permissible. Cannabis is considered a multibillion Dollar industry with countries rushing to cash in through the legalisation of its use.
Sol Dlamini, who is the Director of a company called The Fish Face, said his organisation was targeting to employ 17 000 people and that he collaborated with pharmacists and other professionals. Dlamini, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and also a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), said one of the programmes he did was health.
Dlamini said through research and working with others, they came up with an HIV-treatment drug. However, before explaining further, he said his company would not advocate the drug as a replacement for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. He said for one to stop using ARVs, it was something their doctor could advise them to do. He said the drug would be manufactured in the form of a capsule and that it would be available over the counter. Dlamini said though for now it would only be sold in SA, the target was to eventually sell it around the world. “We will manufacture it using dagga that will be grown in South Africa,” said Dlamini.
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He further said he was granted the permit by the Department of Economic Development in SA. The certificate was awarded as a permit to allow ‘Sol Saul Dlamini’ to manufacture a dagga capsule for HIV treatment.
The permit was issued in June 2022. The SA-based businessman said for now he was already receiving requests from countries outside SA to supply the drug. He also revealed that initially when he marketed the venture, it was targeted to generate over E100 billion, but added that this could be more over the years. He said this is a great achievement because it was not only to generate income, but that through this drug, lives could be saved.
Meanwhile, during an interview, the Minister of Health had alluded that the enactment of the Cannabis Bill would not only be a medical benefit but that it would bring in revenue for the country through diverse products.