New drug for HIV+ women

HIV-positive mothers and TB patients are set to access the new anti-retroviral therapy (Art) fixed-dose combination for free under a new national programme, Government has announced. The fixed dose combination is a more effective way of managing HIV as people living with the disease will take a “three-in-one pill” once a day.

Presently, they are required to take their drugs twice or thrice a day.
In a statement, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Brigadier-General Gwinji, said the implementation of the fixed dose combination will be introduced in stages.

“This statement is meant to support the operationalisation of the 2013 National Art guidelines. Due to limited resources, a phased approach will be implemented and further guidance will be given as resources become more available to fully implement all the recommendations,” said Brig-Gen Gwinji.

“Meanwhile, the following approaches will be implemented: All newly diagnosed HIV-positive pregnant and breast-feeding women should be initiated on Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Efavirenz (TLE) preferably as once daily pill. All new ART initiations for HIV-positive adults and adolescents including those with tuberculosis and HIV co-infections should be commenced on TLE single pill.”

However, he said patients who are currently on Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Nevirapine (TLN) and stable on treatment should continue on the programme until end of year when the current drug stocks are expected to run out.
The fixed dose combination has been available in the country since 2012.

Those who can afford to buy their own medication have been buying the fixed-dose combination from pharmacies in the private sector for between US$45 to US$55 for a month’s supply.

However, using funds from the National AIDS Trust Fund and HIV stakeholders, the National AIDS Council (NAC) has now started purchasing the fixed dose combination.

In an interview, NAC Operations director Mr Raymond Yekeye disclosed that the fixed dosage was already being rolled out at some Art initiation centres.

“The funds available are not yet enough to cater for all the Art clients, therefore we are prioritising pregnant women living with HIV and HIV and TB co-infected people,” said Mr Yekeye.
According to 2013 national HIV estimates, more than 962 000 people including 104 000 children are in need of Art based on a CD 4 count of 350.