Q and A

Question

Can I buy ARVs from a pharmacy without a prescription?

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.

98 comments

  1. Christina Antoniadi

    Hello Peter and thank you for the question.

    Everything in life includes some risk.
    There are things we can do to lower that risk.

    For example wearing a seat belt when driving lowers the risk to get hurt when you have an accident.

    For sex we know that using a condom, taking PrEP or PEP are activities that significantly lower the risk of HIV.

    Also, testing often (every 3 months at least) when you have multiple partners is an activity that lowers your risk.

    In any case, it is your responsibility to care for your health and to take actions to protect yourself.
    Not your partners.

    Your partner is living with HIV and she is on medication.
    She has done everything in her power to protect herself and you.
    She was honest with you, which is very difficult and brave for her.

    You on the other hand need to educate yourself better:

    1. you cannot catch HIV from someone who is on effective treatment
    2. your doctor shouldn’t give you PEP – you don’t need it

    Here are the evidence about this: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/

    I am also sending you a link to help you understand your risk and to help keep yourself safe in the future:
    https://i-base.info/qa/11844

    You should apologise to your girlfriend for your attitude towards her.

  2. Peter

    I slept with this girl I was dating we did unprotected sex later she told me that she is living with HIV for 3 years now, and that she is on treatment. Within a week of this, I went to the doctor for testing. I tested negative now I am under PEP treatment, for one month. Any advise or comment I am so worried now

  3. Simon Collins

    Hi Eldiner, please contact a local hospital in SA or a local HIV organisation. TAC might be able to help.
    https://www.tac.org.za

    Can you arrange for your meds to be sent to you if you are away for a while?

  4. Eldiner

    I left my prescription at Zimbabwe so what can I do to get arvs in south africa

  5. Simon Collins

    Hi Tokoza, thanks, it sounds like you need to get your doctor to send the prescription to the clinic that is close to you. Have you asked about this?

  6. TOKOZA

    I don’t have to time to go at clinic so that why I want to buy my pills at Montague garden’s clics

  7. Simon Collins

    Hi Titimelani, you do not say where you are living but it sounds like this might be South Africa. i-Base is in the UK so please ask the local clinic how to arrange care after relocation. Please do this quickly though so your meds don’t run out.

  8. Titimelani

    Good day I have relocated to another province,can I go to new clinic without relocation latter from previous clinic , to collect ARVS?

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