Alarm as 10 HIV drugs out of stock

There is a shortage of 10 crucial HIV/Aids drugs as a result of Covid-19 pandemic, the UN has warned.

In a latest report by UNAids, at least 10 anti-retroviral therapy (ART) medication is in short supply.

They include Tenofovir, Abacavuir, Cotrimoxazole suspension, Ritonavir tablets, Nevirapine suspension (for new born), Zidovudine solution, Zidovudine/lamivudine (AZT/3TC), Lopinavir/ Ritonavir(LPV/r) 100/25 mg, and LPV/r pellets 40/10 formulation.

A model by the World Health Organisation and the Joint United Nations Programmes on HIV and Aids (UNAids) estimated a six-month disruption of antiretroviral therapy could lead to more than 500 000 additional Aids-related deaths, including from tuberculosis, in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020–2021.

In Kenya, persons living with HIV have already confirmed a short supply of Cotrimoxazole, which is sold as Septrin.