Peter Jordan, Principal Officer of Fedhealth
We welcome and support the recent announcement from the National Department of Health (NDoH) regarding the launch of fixed dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral (ARV) to the public sector. The fixed dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral (ARV) is a combin
Considering South Africa has the world's largest ARV programme globally, with 1.7-million government patients taking three different tablets a day, this initiative will make it far easier for patients to consistently take their treatment. It will also enable Government to treat more patients as the single pill is less expensive than using two or three drugs separately.
Making it easier to take ARVs means that there is a better chance of keeping a patient's viral load (the amount of HIV virus in the blood) so low that it cannot be detected by the laboratory. Recently published research confirmed that patients with undetectable viral loads are unlikely to transmit the virus to other people. This is called Treatment as Prevention.
Fixed dose combination ARVs have been available in the private sector for a number of years. Fedhealth has been providing these drugs to beneficiaries registered on the HIV Disease Programme since their introduction to the market nearly three years ago. The Scheme funds and promotes the use of FDC ARVs, where these can be used, and we can attest to their effectiveness and ease of use for our members. It needs to be said, however, that it is not always possible to use a FDC ARV. For example, if a patient has already developed viral resistance to one or more of the ARVs in the FDC or previously had side-effects to one or more of the drugs, the FDC cannot be used. Only a doctor can make changes to a patient's ARV treatment if and when required and only if it is possible and safe to do so.
We commend Government on this positive step towards increased care for those living with HIV.
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