Organizations in South Africa that are fighting against HIV/Aids have hailed the announcement of a contract award for a single-dose antiretroviral (ARV) drug for the government\'s HIV treatment program.
On Thursday, Nov.29, Health Minister (HM) Aaron Motsoaledi declared the R5.9-billion tender award in Pretoria and said that most South Africans on state-supported ARV treatment for HIV would, from April 2013, require only one tablet instead of the present three a day.
The minister added that his country has been able to cut the cost of the tender, for a single dose of the triple combination of tenofovir, entricitabine and efavirenz by 38%. This would help save a massive R2.2-billion.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has lauded the announcement and said it would be the first time \"first-line fixed-dose combination ARVs and third-line antiretroviral medicines will be procured for use in the public sector.\"
On Thursday, Nov.29, Health Minister (HM) Aaron Motsoaledi declared the R5.9-billion tender award in Pretoria and said that most South Africans on state-supported ARV treatment for HIV would, from April 2013, require only one tablet instead of the present three a day.
The minister added that his country has been able to cut the cost of the tender, for a single dose of the triple combination of tenofovir, entricitabine and efavirenz by 38%. This would help save a massive R2.2-billion.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has lauded the announcement and said it would be the first time \"first-line fixed-dose combination ARVs and third-line antiretroviral medicines will be procured for use in the public sector.\"