A study released January reveals that at least 50 percent of Zimbabwe’s medications—including those for HIV, diabetes and other chronic conditions—are out of stock due to a shortage of foreign currency, Independent Online reports (iol.co.za, 1/9).

According to the article, the consumer cost of remaining HIV medications has risen drastically, putting them even further out of reach of the country’s estimated 90,000 people living with the virus. The cost of a one-month supply of the antiretroviral Stalanev 30 is roughly six times that of the average Zimbabwean teacher’s salary.

IOL adds that health officials are working to rectify the drug shortages and have applied for additional foreign currency.