September 23, 2008

Alleged Drug Shortage in Swaziland Causes Political Unrest

While protestors in Swaziland claim there is a shortage of antiretroviral (ARV) medications and other drugs in the country’s public health facilities, health officials insist that the problem has been resolved, IRIN//PlusNews reports.

“I can appreciate that people on treatment get very panicky when there are rumors about short supply, but there are people with a political agenda as well, who are using the drug issue to discredit government,” said Derek Von Wissel, MD, director of the National Emergency Response Committee on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) that oversees the procurement of ARVs.

Home-based care nurse Maphangisa Dlamini with AIDS support organization Positive Living for Life (SWAPOL) disagrees. Dlamini told IRIN//PlusNews that some patients were forced to alter their ARV drug regimens due to the shortage.

“People are complaining; you'll find someone has been on a regimen for four years and then they're changed to a new drug, which might cause side effects, and they don't know whether to adhere or not.”

With 26 percent of Swaziland’s adults infected with HIV—the highest rate in the world—Dlamini worries the drug supply issue may contribute to widespread non-adherence and drug resistance caused by treatment interruptions.

Search: drug shortage, Swaziland, Positive Living for Life, National Emergency Response Committee on HIV/AIDS

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