Senegal Becomes First African Country to Locally Manufacture Generic Sickle Cell Treatment

Senegal has made a major breakthrough in the fight against sickle cell disease, becoming the first African country to locally manufacture a generic treatment for the condition.

The medicine, branded DREPAF, is a generic version of hydroxyurea, a widely used treatment that can help reduce painful crises, hospitalisations and the need for blood transfusions among people living with sickle cell disease.

DREPAF is being produced by Senegalese pharmaceutical company Teranga Pharma in partnership with Drep.Afrique. The drug received marketing authorisation in Senegal in April 2025, and local production is now underway. A paediatric version has also been developed for children from nine months of age.

The development is particularly significant because Africa carries a large share of the global sickle cell burden, while many countries on the continent have historically depended on imported medicines.

One of the biggest challenges facing sickle cell patients in Africa is not only the disease itself, but also access to affordable treatment.

By producing hydroxyurea locally, Senegal hopes to reduce reliance on imported medicines and make treatment more accessible to patients who may struggle with availability and cost.

Hydroxyurea works partly by increasing the production of fetal haemoglobin, which can help reduce the tendency of red blood cells to sickle. It is an established treatment for managing sickle cell disease, but DREPAF is not a cure for the condition.

The achievement comes at a time when African health systems are increasingly looking to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

For millions of people living with sickle cell disease across the continent, locally produced medicine could mean better access, lower costs and less dependence on overseas supplies. Senegal’s achievement could also encourage other African countries to invest in the production of essential medicines locally.