There’s no ARV shortage, says department

FOLLOWING reports of shortages of 300mg tablets of lamivudine, the Department of Health has assured the public there is no stock-out of the antiretroviral (ARV) and has issued guidance to clinicians about the for mulation, which will no longer be offered on tender.

The Department of Health has slammed as “sensational” media reports that said on Thursday there were shortages of 300mg formulations of the ARV.

These followed reports by the Treatment Action Campaign of shortages and by East Rand patients who said they had been turned away from clinics empty-handed.

The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed there were shortages of the 300mg tablets, but said there was no cause for alarm as 150mg for mulations of the drug were available.

Gauteng Department of Health spokesman Steve Mabona was quoted as urging health workers to consider dispensing a double dose of the 150mg tablets.

Mabona said steps were being taken to resolve the shortage of the 300mg tablets.

A miscommunication between district pharmacies and clinics had led to some patients being turned away empty-handed from clinics, he said.

National Department of Health spokesman Popo Maja said yesterday there was no “crisis” in the supplying of ARVs in Gauteng or other parts of in the country.

According to a Department of Health circular issued on Thursday, the 300mg formulation of lamivudine will no longer be available on tender as many patients who need the tablet can take one of three other combination ARVs.

The department has urged clinicians to provide these combination ARVs and to reserve the 150mg tablets of lamivudine for children and complicated cases.

According to Maja, this information was also circulated to clinicians in an earlier statement. – Health-e News