South Africa licences new anti-AIDS drug

The top medical control board in South Africa has given approval for the sale of a new anti-AIDS drug.

Known as Combivir, and made by Glaxo Wellcome, it's a combination drug, and includes the anti-retroviral AZT, which attacks the HIV virus and so delays the onset of full-blown AIDS.

These drugs have been the subject of much debate in South Africa, where the President has in the past publicly doubted the link between HIV and AIDS.

Combivir joins a range of anti-AIDS drugs already on sale in South Africa including some versions of AZT, but it's unlikely to be available on the public health system because of the high cost.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service