The South African president, Thabo Mbeki, and the minister of health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, have deepened a political storm about the well known antiviral drug zidovudine (AZT), developed and marketed by Glaxo-Wellcome.

The drug, which went through South Africa's drug regulatory system a decade ago, has been used since its registration with similar results and side effects to those experienced in other countries.

But within the last month, Mr Mbeki shocked the community lobbying for better prevention and treatment of HIV infection and AIDS by stating unequivocally that AZT was dangerous and asking the minister of health to launch an inquiry into …