By Gabriela Baron
A group urged on Tuesday night, June 20, the Department of Health (DOH) to solve the unstable supply of HIV antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
In a statement, the Network Plus Philippines, a non-profit organization which has 40 member groups, demanded the DOH and the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) to address the “dwindling and unstable” supply of HIV treatment in HIV facilities.
This, following reports received by the group that persons living with HIV (PLHIVs) have been receiving only “one bottle of ARV or even less” when refilling their ARV medications in the HIV treatment facilities.
The Network Plus Philippines said it has been receiving reports since May 25.
The group said the DOH confirmed on May 31 that there were several regions with low stock levels of tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir (TLD), a fixed-dose combination medication used by PLHIVs.
DOH said regions with low stock levels of TLD were Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, and Central Visayas.
“[We] demand concrete response coming from the PNAC and DOH on how they will address this issue with immediate and long-term solutions,” the organization said.
“The Network Plus Philippines demand them to address their accountabilities as directed by the HIV Policy Act of 2018 or the Republic Act No. 11166, and not be remiss in their duties to ensure that PLHIV are given equitable access to quality ARV treatment,” it added.
The group also called on PLHIVs to continue reporting similar events.
As of writing, the DOH has yet to respond to media inquiries in relation to the issue.
-ag
