Senegal Launches Drepaf: Africa’s First Locally Produced Sickle Cell Treatment
For decades, millions of families across Africa living with sickle cell disease faced a quiet, painful struggle. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers hydroxyurea the gold-standard medicine to prevent life-threatening crises. Yet, because almost all hydroxyurea was imported from foreign facilities, high prices and global supply chain shortages left most patients without access.
That reality is changing.
Senegalese laboratory Teranga Pharma, working alongside non-profit Drep.Afrique, has introduced Drepaf—the first generic hydroxyurea manufactured entirely on African soil. Produced in Mbao, near Dakar, Drepaf represents a historic milestone for African medical self-reliance.
Why Hydroxyurea Matters
Sickle cell disease causes normal, round red blood cells to deform into hard, crescent shapes. These rigid cells block small blood vessels, leading to organ damage, severe anemia, and agonizing pain episodes known as vaso-occlusive crises.
Hydroxyurea works by triggering the body to produce fetal hemoglobin. This special type of hemoglobin prevents red blood cells from bending into sickles.
Regular daily use of hydroxyurea helps:
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Reduce painful crises
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Lower the need for emergency blood transfusions
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Cut emergency room visits and hospital stays
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Prevent organ damage and premature death
The Breakthrough: Local Production Meets Pediatric Needs
Sub-Saharan Africa carries nearly 80% of the world’s sickle cell burden, with hundreds of thousands of babies born with the condition every year. Despite this huge need, importing foreign drugs made treatment far too expensive for many families.
Teranga Pharma built a $7.1 million facility in Senegal to close this gap. Drepaf is sold close to cost, bringing daily treatment down to just 50 to 100 CFA francs ($0.08 to $0.18 USD) per day.
Crucially, the team tackled a long-standing challenge: treating infants. Foreign brands often came only in 500 mg adult capsules that parents had to break open, risking incorrect dosages. Teranga Pharma engineered a 100 mg pediatric dose. Babies as young as 9 months old can now safely start treatment during their crucial early developmental months.
Expanding Across Africa
Drepaf is already reaching patients beyond Senegal’s borders.
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Active Partnerships: Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
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Pending Orders: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gabon, and Cameroon.
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Long-Term Target: Supply the entire sub-Saharan region by 2030.
By manufacturing essential drugs locally, African nations protect themselves against international supply chain disruptions and reduce reliance on costly imports. Drepaf shows how local innovation can make world-class healthcare accessible to every child and adult who needs it.
