AIDSfreeAFRICA’s mission is to implement and advance pharmaceutical drug production and accessibility in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although AIDSfreeAFRICA has been working in Cameroon since 2005, the organization has only recently decided to tackle problems that arise because of the general lack of basic laboratory services in this African nation.<br/>We have chosen to develop two laboratory services. The first focuses on quality control for pharmaceutical drugs. The second is for medical diagnostics, such as tests for malaria parasites and HIV viral load. Malaria and HIV are both highly prevalent in Cameroon.<br/>The inspiration for the quality control laboratory came when AIDSfreeAFRICA was asked to take samples of pharmaceutical drugs to the USA to test them for composition and quality. The main problem with drug quality in Cameroon is degradation due to heat and humidity. In addition, a largely unregulated import market adds to the uncertainty of the quality of drugs. Space for this lab has been provided through a collaboration with Cameroon’s Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD).<br/>The medical diagnostics lab got its start with the donation of a fluorescent microscope. The mayor of Yaoundé (the capital city) has provided space to utilize the microscope. This high-powered diagnostic tool for malaria is one of its kind in Cameroon. It greatly expands current diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The microscope allows the practitioner to diagnose malaria earlier, and to know which of the four types of malaria is present. Thus, correct prescription and dosage are possible.<br/>AIDSfreeAFRICA needs scientists to help expand our laboratories through donation of equipment and training. This will support AIDSfreeAFRICA’s vision to provide trained Cameroonian staff for the emerging pharmaceutical industry.

Chemistry in Cameroon: Advancing laboratory sciences

2019 Fall National Meeting

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