HIV/AIDS buffer service established in South Africa to reduce risk of drug stock-outs

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An emergency HIV/AIDS drug supply service is to open in South Africa in a bid to respond to drug stock-outs and supply disruptions in sub-Saharan Africa, the International Dispensary Association announced this week.

Supply interruptions have been reported in several African countries, and even South Africa has experienced difficulties in maintaining consistent supplies of some drugs. Interruptions in antiretroviral or TB treatment can result in the development of drug resistance and treatment failure.

South Africa’s Medicines and Control Council (MCC) has issued a license to IDA Solutions to operate a buffer stock service from a bonded warehouse.

Glossary

generic

In relation to medicines, a drug manufactured and sold without a brand name, in situations where the original manufacturer’s patent has expired or is not enforced. Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as branded drugs, and have comparable strength, safety, efficacy and quality.

bid

Abbreviation of a Latin term meaning twice daily.

drug resistance

A drug-resistant HIV strain is one which is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs because of an accumulation of HIV mutations in its genotype. Resistance can be the result of a poor adherence to treatment or of transmission of an already resistant virus.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Regulatory agency that evaluates and approves medicines and medical devices for safety and efficacy in the United States. The FDA regulates over-the-counter and prescription drugs, including generic drugs. The European Medicines Agency performs a similar role in the European Union.

treatment failure

Inability of a medical therapy to achieve the desired results. 

Funded and initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, this buffer stock will offer a fall-back service to HIV/AIDS treatment programmes in Africa.

Critical ARVs, diagnostics and supplies will be provided to HIV/AIDS treatment programmes that have unexpected shortages or service interruptions. The service will be able to mobilise stock within 24 hours and reach 80% of Sub Saharan Africa destinations within one week. First orders can be placed as of the end of this month.

"All products available from the buffer stock service will comply with either WHO or FDA quality standards and are included in the standard treatment guidelines of the receiving countries", said Henk den Besten, Managing Director of IDA Solutions. "Because this facility is bonded products do not formally enter South African territory. This means that the products do not require registration with the MCC and, perhaps more significantly, generic versions of products patented in South Africa are also going to be available".

"When programmes scale up treatment activities, managing the supply chain becomes increasingly complex", says Dutch HIV/AIDS Ambassador Paul Bekkers, "but with this new initiative we want to make sure that programme managers have a place to turn to if they face unexpected product shortages. Indeed, this buffer stock facility will provide a safety-net function so that patients do not miss their daily dosages."

For more information see: www.idasolutions.org or www.aa4a.co.za.