Teranga Pharma, a Senegalese pharmaceutical company, has become the first African company to manufacture generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease.
The company manufactures the medicine under the brand name Drepaf at its factory in Senegal. The development is particularly significant because Africa carries a disproportionate share of the global burden of sickle cell disease.
Teranga Pharma Launches Drepaf for Adults and Children
Drepaf comes in two formulations: 500mg for adults and 100mg for children. 
Teranga Pharma launched the medicine in November 2025. The company is now increasing production and expanding its geographical reach as interest in the medicine grows across Africa.
Drepaf is a generic version of hydroxyurea, a medicine recommended for the treatment of sickle cell disease. The medicine can help prevent painful crises, hospitalisations, blood transfusions and premature death.
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Locally Produced Medicine Could Reduce Africa’s Reliance on Imports
Sickle cell disease affects Africa more than other regions, with the continent accounting for almost 80% of global cases. Despite this burden, patients have traditionally relied on medicines imported from Europe and the Americas.
That dependence affects both the cost and availability of treatment.
According to reports, the project has received approximately US$7.1 million in funding and includes collaboration with an Indian partner.
Teranga Pharma says it currently works with Burkina Faso, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire. The company has also received requests from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon and Cameroon.
The company aims to meet the growing demand for sickle cell treatment across sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
Africa Places Greater Focus on Local Pharmaceutical Production
Pharmaceutical production is becoming a higher priority for African nations as they seek to improve health security.
The development comes amid the harsh health and industrial challenges created by sickle cell disease.
The development comes amid the serious health and industrial challenges associated with sickle cell disease. The genetic blood disorder can cause severe anaemia, chronic pain, exhaustion and repeated hospitalisations.
Children and adolescents living with the condition can also experience disruptions to their daily lives because of the disease.
The local production of hydroxyurea could therefore improve access to an important sickle cell treatment while reducing Africa’s dependence on pharmaceutical imports.
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