Pretoria - Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe has assured the people of Gauteng that the availability of the antiretroviral drug, Tenofovir, has improved substantially in the province over the past weeks.
"Pharmaceutical companies have been supplying the drug to the department's medical supply depot every week since the beginning of May to increase the availability of life prolonging medicine. The depot has in turn been distributing the drug to clinics and hospitals as soon as it receives it," Mekgwe said.
On Thursday, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Mekgwe visited the depot to satisfy themselves of the availability of drugs, where they saw the consignments of drugs that had recently been received.
However, Mekgwe acknowledged that there was still a challenge with the availability of one anti-retroviral drug, Abacavir, and the department had been informed that manufacturers had been unable to supply the drug because of a worldwide shortage of ingredients to manufacture it.
Mekgwe will today outline plans that the department has put in place to ensure a constant and reliable supply of medicines when she tables her budget in the provincial legislature.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has given out a number for patients who are currently affected by the shortage of ARVs to contact the department.
The minister said the department had made an arrangement with Treasury to import 1 million units of the drugs.
People affected by the drug shortage can call 012 395 8171 or 082 419 1925.
