Question
Can I buy ARVs from a pharmacy without a prescription?
5 September 2021. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Southern Africa.
I am away a lot for work and find it hard to get to the clinic. Can I buy ARVs from the pharmacy? I live in South Africa.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch and for letting us post your question online.
All countries are supposed to need a prescription to buy HIV drugs. This includes In South Africa.
In some countries you might be able to buy some meds over the counter without a prescription (even if it is not legal). If you can do this, please make sure that you buy exactly the same meds that you usually take.
If you’re having access issues, please talk to your doctor.
Explain your situation, ask to have a few months of meds, even up to six months. This is now common in many countries. Often this is because of COVID.
Things have changed now in many countries, including South Africa.
Instead of being given a month at a time it is more common to get med for 2-6 months.
Hi Thabi, thanks for letting us know about this. I think you might also have sent us an email about this as I have just replied to a similar question. It sounds like you are in South Africa between Jo’berg and Pretoria. As this means you are close to larger cities I hope this can be fixed.
Please contact the Treatment Action Campaign in SA to see if they can help.
https://www.tac.org.za
They will know more about these new policies and might be able to suggest things that can help.
Please also send me an email again so that I can contact you if I find out other information:
questions@i-base.org.uk
You could also email GroundUp in confidence to discuss this as they might be able to help:
info@groundup.org.za
I will also ask a coupel fo doctors in SA if they can help.
best wishes, Simon
Hi, I went to my local clinic to collect my ARVs treatment as usual but they said no one is allowed to enter the clinic without an SA. Then I went back to collect my Passport today so that I can get help and again they said there is no treatment for foreigners at all Government clinic’s.
Around my area they do the same. what must I do because they stand outside gate to stop people – ie at Thuthukani clinic, Rabbaridge clinic, Ebony Park Clinic etc.
Please please help now It’s been more than 4 months without treatment and I am not working. I am taking ARVS from Thuthukani clinic today is August 29. I went to Rabbaridge clinic they did the same and people need help from Rabbaridge clinic.
Apologies Linda we cannot post your personal contact details
……….. (email)………………..
Hello Polly and thanks for getting in touch.
You might be able to do that online, but I don’t have any information currently about this.
I understand the situation must look difficult right now but please don’t lose hope.
A lot of good people are fighting and trying hard to give access to medication for all.
You can try emailing here to see if they can provide you with further information:
CHANGE: Community Health and HIV Advocates Navigating Global Emergencies
https://pepfarwatch.org/pepfar-funding-freeze/
Email: contact.change.2025@gmail.com
I want to buy ARVs .
Hello Nelly and thank you for the question.
I am very sorry you are experiencing such difficulty with the clinic.
You have done the right thing, going to the nearest clinic and registering with them.
I am based in the UK so I am not sure of the situation where you are.
Here in the UK, when someone transfers to a clinic it is expected that they will contact the old clinic and get the transfer letter.
The UK clinics will also give one month of medication to someone who has run out but has the bottles of their medication with them.
So, I would ask the clinic if they can request a transfer letter on your behalf.
Alternatively, you could try emailing your old clinic and ask for a transfer letter.
Also, bring the old bottles of medication to the new clinic and ask if they can give you a small supply.
Hi is it possible to get my treatment? I have a problem I can’t go back where I started my treatment because of some reasons. How can I get it where I am based now? I tried to go to the nearest clinic but they said they can’t give me ARVs if I don’t have transfer letter
Hello Thabo and thank you for the question.
I am sorry to hear you have difficulties to attend your clinic appointments.
Please consult a local community organisation that works in HIV.
They can give you accurate advice for your country and how to navigate the local healthcare system.
We are based in the UK and we don’t know the local conditions in each country
I’m struggling with my local clinic due to my work. I travel a lot an whn I come back from work an I didn’t make for my date thy give stories. So do we have any private doctor around east rand where can continue taking my medicine.