URGENT: Tenofovir shortages in public health system – Important memos from the HIV Clinicians Society

FOR WIDEST DISTRIBUTION

29 March 2012

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) is deeply concerned about reports of stock shortages of the essential antiretroviral medicine, tenofovir, in the public health system. Tenofovir is part of the standard regimen prescribed to people with HIV initiating antiretroviral treatment. It is a potent suppressor of HIV with an excellent side effect profile. It is a life-saving drug and one of the most important in the public health system.

The Southern African HIV Clinicians Society has acted swiftly and released the following urgent memoranda which TAC endorses. These are for widest distribution, especially to health workers and treatment literacy practitioners:

• Advice by Southern African HIV Clinicians Society on how to handle tenofovir shortages
• Letter by Southern African HIV Clinicians Society to Minister Motsoaledi