Question
How much do ARVs cost privately in South Africa?
1 May 2012. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Southern Africa.
Answer
Hi
Drug pricing for HIV meds is complex. It varies depending whether a country is rich or poor because global agreements and treatment programmes recognise that richer countries are able to pay more for basic medicine.
It also related to how serious a health problem in terms of numbers of people who are HIV positive in that country. So although South Africa is a rich country, because HIV affects such a large percentage of the population, it can use generic HIV meds, which are also substantially cheaper.
The cost for ARVs in private are on this web page from the Treatment Action Campaign.
Hi Fanelo, thanks. I am sorry to hear you are having these problems.
Can you phone your clinic to explain this situation? Or contact another clinic that is very close. Can anyone else collect your meds for you?
Are you living in Bethlehem or do you just work there?
A google search included information below about different clinics/
Hadassah AIDS Center (HAC) – Ein Kerem: This is the primary reference center for Palestinian HIV/AIDS patients in the area. It is located at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem, 8th floor clinics (Room 20 A, 20), Jerusalem. It operates, in part, on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Hadassah AIDS Center offers both confidential and anonymous tests. Palestinians from the West Bank may require permits to access specialised care in Jerusalem.
Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH): Patients under the Palestinian MOH jurisdiction can be referred for diagnosis, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and psychosocial support through local Palestinian health services, often leading to referrals at Hadassah.
The Open Clinic (Jerusalem Open House): Located in central Jerusalem, this community-based center provides confidential testing (including rapid tests) for HIV and STIs.
The Aids Task Force in Israel offers community support and information, with a coordinator reachable via WhatsApp at +972-54-320-0071
I need arvs can’t go to clinic, because of my job. I am in Bethleham and need to buy them
Hello Thandeka and thanks for getting in touch.
In most countries ARVs are a prescription medication, distributed by hospital pharmacies.
I am afraid we are based in the UK and don’t really know the situation in your country.
If you are in Africa, try emailing GroundUp in confidence to discuss this as they might be able to help:
info@groundup.org.za
I need ARV. I’m hiv positive. May i buy them from the counter?
Hello Francis and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to hear you can’t collect medication from your clinic.
I am afraid we are based in the UK and don’t really know the situation in South Africa.
ARVs in Africa are supposed to be available for people living with HIV as this is a public health issue.
Try emailing GroundUp in confidence to discuss this as they might be able to help:
info@groundup.org.za
I’m Francis and I live in South Africa but I’ve a problem of collect My ARVs medication due to my documentation. I went last time to the clinic but I was prevented from collecting my medication so I would like to know that where can I buy here in South Africa and how much does it cost.
Hello Lindiswa and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to hear you can’t go to the clinic.
I am afraid we are based in the UK and don’t really know the situation in South Africa.
ARVs in Africa are supposed to be available for people living with HIV as this is a public health issue.
Try emailing GroundUp in confidence to discuss this as they might be able to help:
info@groundup.org.za
I need ARVS I’m HIV positive I can’t go to the clinic