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 Lusungu, is there a reason you are looking to buy ARVs? In South Africa access to HIV medication is free.
I want to buy ARVs I’m in south Africa Johannesburg
Hi Zaunab, HIV meds need to be prescribed by a doctor, even if you want to buy them privately. Please contact an HIV clinic or a pharmacy to see if they can help. Can you phone the clinic if you can’t get there? Or contact TAC (www.tac.org.za) in case they can help.
I would like to buy ARVs. I can’t go to the clinic but i want to take medication. I am in south Africa in Cape Town.
Hi Yusuf,
If you’re in South Africa, you should be able to access ARVs for free. Why are your clinic not supplying you with medication, is there a supply issue?
If you’re having issues with access it’s possible that a pharmacy may sell you some ARVs, however in most instances you’re going to need a prescription from your doctor.
If you’re in South Africa, the following org should be able to help:https://www.tac.org.za/
I need to buy arvs tablets the clinic I use to get help doesn’t give me anymore
Hi Tshegofatso,
i-base are based in the UK, unfortunately we’re not able to help you with access to ARVs. Please contact the following organsiation, they’ll be able to help: https://www.tac.org.za/
Have you asked at the clinic if there’s something else that your son could use?
Hi can i please get help my son is taking ART treatment, so its been 2 months now without receiving keletra solution at the clinic they are saying its out of stock and i should buy it myself and im currently unemployed
Hi Esethu,
i-base are based in the UK, please contact the following org: https://www.tac.org.za/
Hello I missed my date of collecting my medication because I’m not near my clinic in KZN where I can get it I’m in Pretoria