industry insiders
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Journalistic investigation reveals that Zimbabwean chicken farmers are illegally using antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in poultry feed to boost growth and prevent disease. This practice poses significant public health risks, including potential drug resistance and interference with HIV treatment efficacy.
Why it matters
This exposes a dangerous intersection of agricultural malpractice and public health crises in regions with high HIV prevalence.
In this desperate attempt to increase profits, the farmers are posing serious health risks to consumers and undermining HIV treatment efficacy.
26 Jul 2026 A worker holds a one-week-old broiler chick at a poultry farm just outside Harare on 17 July 2026. (Photo: Aaron Ufumeli / SAAJP) Dive Deeper Speed Read Summary Listen Dive Deeper In a drive to maximise profits, Zimbabwean chicken farmers regularly buy antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), intended for HIV patients in the country, on the black market to mix into chicken feed. Farmers believe the drugs protect their stock from diseases and act as growth stimulants. This means fewer deaths and quicker turnaround of chickens for slaughter. But, the practice is unlawful and harmful to the health of unsuspecting human consumers of the meat.
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