Question
Can I buy ARVs from a pharmacy without a prescription?
5 September 2021. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, South 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 Pamela, as i-base is a UK based charity I do not have information about accessing treatment from Clicks. Are you able to contact the pharmacy directly? Or you can contact TAC. TAC is a charity similar to i-base based in SA. They will have more suitable information for you.
TAC: https://www.tac.org.za/
Can i have ARVs at clicks my job is not allowing me to have a day off during week ..can i get it from clicks i used to get from clinic sometimes clicks from my old job ..i have card to take from clicks but now i cant go back to the clinic i used to go
Hi Atalia, did you have a question?
Atali
Hi Granny, please see the answer in the main thread to this question.
Hi can I buy arvs without prescription I’ve got a problem with my work they refusing to give me a day off to go for my treatments so I always skip my treatment
Hi Maureen, please see the answer to the main question on this thread.
Hi Can I buy arvs at pharmacy without prescription
Hi Jabulile, i-Base is a charity in the United Kingdom. Because of this I am afraid I don’t have specific information about pharmacies in South Africa.
You can ask your clinic or doctor about where you can get treatment. The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) may be able to give you more relevant information: https://www.tac.org.za/
Jabulile can I buy my ARv am base in South Africa