No 300mg ARV pills in Gauteng

The department’s spokesperson Steve Mabona said, “As the department of health in Gauteng, we wish to confirm that there is a low supply of Lamivudine 300mg, however, we do have Lamivudine 150mg tablets in stock.”

Mabona said it was important to stress that the Lamivudine 150mg tablets were the same as Lamivudine 300mg tablets, the difference was that a patient had to take two tablets of the Lamivudine 150mg instead of one Lamivudine 300mg.

However, Jack Bloom, Democratic Alliance Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health said he was concerned by the reported shortage of the HIV/Aids treatment drug. Bloom said according to the Gauteng Health Department, the drug is only available in 150mg dosages, instead of the usual 300mg. He said while this should not be a real crisis as a double dose could be taken, there have been cases, especially in the East Rand, where patients have been told that the drug was simply not available.

“This is inexcusable as any interruption in treatment can lead to dangerous drug resistance. The department needs to tighten up on its drug orders and its communication with clinics and hospitals,” Bloom said.

However, Mabona said health facilities in Gauteng were issued with Lamivudine 150mg tablets accordingly and, as such, the department still had enough units to supply health facilities. “There was a miscommunication between the district pharmacies and clinics in informing them that Lamivudine 150mg tablets can be utilised as an alternative pack size and strength to the 300mg. This situation is currently been rectified. We encourage patients to visit their clinics and collect medication accordingly. We wish to reiterate that there is definitely no crisis, Lamivudine is available, just in a smaller size,” he said.