Q and A

Question

How much do ARVs cost privately in South Africa?

1 May 2012. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, South Africa.

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

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.

208 comments

  1. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Sibongile, where are you based? As i-base is in the UK I am unsure of access in other countries. As you have posted on a post concerning SA, TAC is an organisation based in SA that may be able to offer more suitable advice: https://www.tac.org.za/

  2. Sibongile •

    Is there any Pharmacy that helps will the purchase of ARVs

  3. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Thembela, please see this previous question: https://i-base.info/qa/17615 If this does not help have you contacted TAC? They are a similar organisation to i-base based in SA that can offer more suitable help. i-base is UK based and not best suited to providing information on SA health systems: https://www.tac.org.za/

  4. Thembela •

    How can I get ARVs in pharmacy if isn’t have doctors permission cz I’m working to far to the clinic

  5. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Chello, where are you in the world? Access might be free depending on where you live. In South Africa, access to HIV medication is free. Local clinics will be able to provide and signpost to relevant services. In the UK access is also free by attending local HIV registered sexual health clinics.

  6. Chello •

    The cost of arv’s and where can I buy it

  7. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Gretta, i-base is UK based and I am unsure as to if switching is suitable. This organisation is based in SA and might be able to offer more suitable advice: https://www.tac.org.za/

  8. Gretta •

    I would like to know which pharmacy can I buy my treatment ARVs in Lusikisiki Eastern Cape

  9. Sandie •

    I need to buy tables the clinic they take long and sometimes I hv to be at work. I’m in stellenbosch..

  10. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Sandie, how often are you able to get to the clinic to collect your medication?

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *