Bong Go calls on gov't to address shortage of HIV meds in PH
Published Jul 2, 2023 02:10 am
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to address the reported supply shortage of antiretroviral medication in four regions of the country which are essential to patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country.
“Our fellow Filipinos should not be placed in such a dire predicament where they have to worry about the availability of their life-sustaining medication,” said Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.
"I am calling on the DOH and the Philippine National AIDS Council to act urgently and resolve this issue,” the senator appealed.
According to advocacy group Network Plus Philippines, People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, and Central Visayas regions are in a "life-and-death situation," due to the critical shortage of ARV medications.
The group also revealed that patients are only receiving "one bottle or less" of ARV drugs, which is substantially less than the usual three-bottle supply equivalent to a three-month medication regimen.
Go noted this has led to an alarming situation where some PLHIV are asked to prepare to purchase their own medication due to the low stock level.
"The government must ensure that adequate funding is provided for HIV medication. We need to re-evaluate our procurement processes, resolve the current shortage, and establish a more reliable supply chain to avoid such issues in the future,” the lawmaker suggested.
Go also stressed the importance of the free treatment hubs that provide these medications to also counter the huge cost of ARV treatment.
"If these hubs run out of supply, patients are left with no choice but to shoulder the cost of the medication. This is simply too burdensome for most PLHIV, especially for those who are unemployed, including teenagers," he said.
"We need to ensure that these treatment hubs are fully equipped to support those in need," added Go.
Likewise, Go reminded authorities to prioritize HIV prevention and treatment, and improve its delivery and distribution of ARV drugs.
"These are not just numbers. People's lives are at risk, and the longer they go without their medication, the more dire the potential health consequences. We need to act now,” he emphasized.