Question
How much do ARVs cost privately in South Africa?
1 May 2012. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, South 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 Pat,
Staring treatment can be confusing for many people. You can read more info in this guide to starting treatment for the first time.
But isn’t HIV treatment free in South Africa? You can contact Treatment Action Campaign for support in accessing treatment.
Hi,
I was tested positive and i haven’t start taking any ARVs. What advise can you give me becoz i want to start with my treatments from the private doctor.
And how much more or less that going to cost me for the medication?
Hi Themba.
If you’re having issues the nurses are the clinic is there someone who you can complain to, maybe a doctor. Though no one has the right to treat you this way, its important that you collect your meds. This is because you need them for your health.
Are you able to change clinics, this is if you don’t manage to sort out the issues that you’re having?
I need Arv but don’t want to collect them at the clinic as the nurse’s are not treating us well and gossipping with our status
Hi Moyo,
It is possible to buy ARVs from pharmacies in South Africa. You will however need a prescription for these.
Hi
I am booked to collect my medication on the 3rd of July, but I booked a bus to travel on 24 June. Can I be able to buy Atenef from Clicks
Hi Themba,
Here is a link to the Treatment Action Campaign. They work for access to quality healthcare in HIV across SA.
I need to know if is it posable for me to get Arv from clicks
Hi John,
ARVs can be bought from pharmacies in South Africa. You will however need a prescription from your doctor. Is is possible to get this? Is the strike a health care workers strike?
iam working and there is strike in northwest i cannot get my arv,where to buy