By NATION REPORTER
GOVERNMENT has clarified that there is no shortage of ARV’s but that the Ministry of Health has embarked on the optimisation of antiretroviral therapy to newer, safer and more efficacious antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in Zambia.
Yesterday Ministry of Health permanent secretary in charge of Technical services Professor Luckson Kasonka indicated the ministry had faced a delay in the shipment of Zidovudine/Lamivudine (ZDV/3TC) 300mg/150mg an ARV combination agent used as part of a three drug regimen used for managing individuals on second line ART.
But a medical officer at the university teaching hospital said 98.5 percent of the 1,229,781 receiving ARVs are now receiving the newer, safer and more efficacious drugs which contain an ARV agent called Dolutegravir.
The officer said that the announced transition was guidance to health care workers based on scientific merits and in keeping with the progressive process of removing this older commodity from circulation in Zambia.
The officer said to this effect, the Ministry of Health in consultation with the Civil Society Organisations representing People Living with HIV and implementing partners had made a decision to progressively transition individuals on this drug to better, safer and easier to take ARVs.
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