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 Samson,
Does this mean that you’ve stopped taking medication? If you have when did you stop?
Meds in a public clinic are free. If you choose to not use the public system you will need to pay. Is this a possibility?
Because i-base are UK based, I can’t say which private clinic would be good. Maybe you could ask around?
I used get ARVs from at public clinic. But now I’m shy to go to the public clinic. I’m in alberton area.
Hi Norman,
There are a lot of options for private HIV care in Joburg. Where you go will depend on where you are in the city. The following link should help.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=private+HIV+hospitals+in+johannesburg&*
I can’t say which is the best option because i-base are a UK based organisation.
I’m in jorburg where can I get ARVs from? And I don’t mean a public hospital.
thank you
Hi Patuma,
Some ARVs need to be taken with food, others don’t. What are you taking?
Can you take ARVs without food?
Hi Portia,
Its great to hear that you’re now ready to start treatment. This is an important step. If you don’t want to access ARVs through the state system, then there are other options avaliable in Durban. Please see here:
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=private%20health%20care%20durban&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=-29818399,30915620,6722&tbm=lcl&rldimm=1760491930344735716&tbs=lf_msr:-1,lf_od:-1,lf_oh:-1,lf_pqs:EAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&*
However, because i-base is UK based, I can’t say which is the best place to go.
I’ve been HIV positive since 2006. I used to run away from hospitals and clinics because I was scared of public palaces. Now I’d like to start taking treatment.I am ready…where I can I get private health care in Durban?
Hi Annonimous,
Do you know what your friends CD4 count is?
No one can make someone take ARVs. Its a decision that only a positive person can make. Have you asked them why they don’t want to take meds? Did they have side effects when they were on them last year?
When you say stigma, is your friend having problems when they go to the clinic? If they are, could they change clinic? Also do you have a HIV support group near to where you live? This may help you friend. As too could explaining what the benefits are to being on meds.
How do I assist someone who knows their status, has taken medication last year for one month and stopped. Now coughing, loosing weight and recently got checked for CD4 count. Refuses to go to clinic because of stigma. Smokes and drinks occasionally.