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HIV drug shortage hits Indonesian cities, regencies as ministry procures supply
According to the Indonesia AIDS Coalition (IAC), about 40 regencies and cities suffered from antiretroviral (ARV) drug shortages.
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According to the Indonesia AIDS Coalition (IAC), about 40 regencies and cities suffered from antiretroviral (ARV) drug shortages. (Shutterstock/File)
C
ivil society groups assisting HIV patients in the country have reported a shortage of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in dozens of cities and regencies as the government restocks the imported medicine.
Bandung-based Rumah Cemara advocacy group director Aditia Taslim said he had received calls from people seeking the treatment from at least 14 cities and regencies, from Deli Serdang in North Sumatra to Sorong in West Papua, saying that their stock might run out soon.
“This [shortage] could be even bigger than that,” Aditia told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
According to the Indonesia AIDS Coalition (IAC), about 40 regencies and cities suffer from ARV shortages.
The country has run low on ARV, which in Indonesia is typically a fixed-dose combination of Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Efavirens (TLE), for the second time in the past two years, as the government seeks to replenish its stock.
The drug, which is imported by local pharmaceutical companies PT Kimia Farma and PT Indofarma, is provided for free under a program run directly by the Health Ministry. Patients must pay only administrative fees and doctor consultation fees.
Difficulties securing deals between the government and drug importers have caused some disruptions in supplies, which have startled patients and their families.
