Pretoria – The national roll-out of the fixed-dose combination (FDC) of antiretrovirals (ARVs) on 1 April 2013 has been described as a life saver, which will lead to less people dying of Aids related illnesses.
“It’s a relief for us who are taking three pills every day. Most people end up defaulting because the thought of swallowing three pills for the rest of your life is torture,” said 30-year-old *Ntokozo Masuku.
Masuku, from uMzinyathi, north of Durban, has been on ARVs for the past four years after escaping death when her CD4 count plummeted to 12.
After seeing for herself how effective ARVs are, she makes sure that she takes her pills on time on a daily basis and follows doctor’s orders.
“The secret to living a long, healthy life with this disease is adherence - I’m living proof. As long as you listen to your doctor and follow their advice, your life improves.”
However, Masuku said she has buried some of her friends who defaulted on treatment, something she thinks could have been prevented.
“I feel that with the FDC, people will be able to live longer. It’s just one pill. Even people with high blood pressure take their pills every day without fail.
“It will help us, especially, when one goes away maybe for a week. There won’t be any stress of packing 21 pills, which most of the time attracts other people’s attention and you become embarrassed to take them as people will start talking and make funny comments,” she said.
Last year in December, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced the inclusion of the fixed-dose combination for use in the first line treatment of HIV positive people. This move aims to improve adherence to treatment and patient outcomes.
The fixed-dose combination -- containing emtricitabine, efavirenz and tenofovir -- is a multiple antiretroviral drug combined into a single pill, which helps reduce pill burden.
*Nonkululeko Njapha, aged 35 from Pietermaritzburg, breathed a sigh of relief when Motsoaledi made the announcement in December.
“Now I can take my medication without anyone noticing. It is difficult to take three pills, especially when there are people around because sometimes you end up going to sleep without taking them.
“The fixed-dose will improve adherence and save more lives because despite their low CD4 counts, some people refuse to take ARVs because the pills were too much for them. But with FDC, there won’t be any excuses for not taking care of their lives,” said Njapha.
Health Deputy Minister Dr Gwen Ramokgopa said the department was very excited that through research and innovation, the health sector has been able to produce the fixed-dose.
“One of the priorities in the our10-point plan is to improve research and innovation in the health sector. A fixed-dose tablet will enable patients to have it easier to take their medication. Adherence will improve and it will also create space in health facilities.
“It will also reduce abuse by others because sometimes these tables are stolen for other uses and it will reduce those other risks,” Ramokgopa said.
She explained that when the announcement of the fixed-dose was made, the stock was already available and each province will then implement roll-out according to their programme.
Roll-out will see the three tablets being phased out. – SAnews.gov.za
*Names have been changed.
