Missing the Target #5: Improving AIDS Drug Access ... - CD8 T cells

ZimbabweBy Matilda Moyo, Carol Mubaira, and Martha TholanahThe majority of the 91,000 1 people on ARV treatment in Zimbabwe by October2007 were receiving drugs free of charge through the government program.Although an additional 10,000 people were thought to be self-sponsoring theirtreatment in July 2007, it is believed this number has reduced significantly toperhaps 6,000 in October, because of factors such as inflationary price increasesand the unavailability of drugs at pharmacies due to a government imposed pricefreeze, which was instituted in July.The most commonly used ARVs and combinations in Zimbabwe are stavudine+ lamivudine + nevirapine (d4T+3TC+NVP, marketed as Stalanev 30 and 40);lamuvidine + zidovudine (3TC+AZT, marketed as Combivir); and lamivudine +stavudine (3TC+d4T, marketed as Coviro 30 and 40). Among the newer drugsthat are available but not widely distributed are efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir, andemtricitabine.Varichem, a largely government-owned local pharmaceutical company,manufactures Stalanev, most of which is used for the government ARV program;pharmacies receive the excess. The most popular imported drugs are from theIndian pharmaceutical companies Cipla and Ranbaxy.While some other drugs such as indinavir are also available, they are too expensivefor most people.Factors affecting drug pricesZimbabwe, currently in its eighth year of economic recession, is battling massivehyperinflation. According to the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the year-on-yearinflation rate for the month of July 2007 was at 7,634.8 percent. In an attemptto rein in galloping inflation, the government in July 2007 froze the price ofmost goods retroactive to their price a few weeks earlier. Businesses, includingpharmacies, were forced to reduce their prices, in some instances by up to 50percent.1 Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MoH&CW).102