Health Minister says ARV shortage not crisis

The National Aids Committee (NAC) says that it is concerned over the shortage of two main antiviral (antiretroviral) drugs used by persons living with HIV that are used in combination therapy provided by the national Care and Treatment Centre Clinic. The drugs travada and Efavirenz, are due in the country in the next week or two while the local supply has diminished according to NAC.

According to the Committee in a release, it has received complaints from several persons living with HIV/AIDS. The Clinic offers services to these persons (PLWHA) in region four which covers East Coast, East Bank and Georgetown along with the other regions that have no counseling, testing and treatment sites.

NAC says it has been advising persons living with HIV/AIDS to continue visiting or phoning into the clinic for updates or seek assistance from other PLWHA who may have extra drugs to carry them through this period. The Committee is also encouraging all PLWHA on ‘first line” treatment not to use one of the drugs since they have to be used as a combination therapy. Using one of the drugs will cause HIV to become resistant to it, “it has been proven that taking two or more anti-retroviral at the same time makes for more effective treatment in the long run, vastly reducing the rate resistance can develop,” NAC said.

It is also encouraging all PLWHA to continue using complementary therapies where possible especially in the mind-body category (relaxation techniques, spirituality, and massage) and bio-body based practices in building the immune system such as eating a balanced diet, using vitamins & minerals, herbal, yogurt, pre/pro- biotic.
Meanwhile the committee says it is seeking to fast track a requested meeting with the programme Manager at the National AIDS programme Secretariat (NAPS) and also seeking confirmation on the due-date of the expected shipment,.

A feed-back of the 2008/2009 annual ARVs supply plan as well as clarification as to both government and partners/international donors support and commitment in guaranteeing sustained treatment to approximately 2,800 persons reportedly on anti-retrovirals.


See story in Guyana Times -Sept 01, 2010