Patients’ wait for HIV drugs continues

In December 2010,the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) switched to Efavirenz (EFV) from Nevirapine (NVP) at its ART centres. The switch was attributed to excess stocks of EFV that NACO was keen to exhaust before it expired in March 2011. Now,there is a shortage of EFV at NARI’s centre at Model Colony. Around 1,200 patients are taking the medication,including 200 new patients. Some are given NVP but those on TB treatment cannot be administered NVP, said Dr Manisha Ghate,in charge of ART centre at NARI. “We have spoken to Nashik and Gadchiroli centre and have requested additional stock,” said Ghate.

ART centres at other parts of the country,including Allahabad,Gaya,Bhagalpur,Darbhanga,Muzzafarpur and Patna,also ran out of stock between February and May 2011. Drug stock-outs at facility level may lead to HIV and TB drug resistance,said Pardeshi. Several organisations have taken out rallies to draw the attention of the health ministry and the National AIDS Control Organisation to the issue. People living with HIV(PLHIV) networks had earlier called on the Health Ministry and NACO to reform the pharmaceutical supply management system for essential medicines as it an important element in treatment programmes. Manoj Pardeshi,Pune-based national coordinator of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition of people living with HIV,said problems at ART treatment centres need to be addressed urgently.