THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said a high demand for antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs is the reason for dwindling stocks of the medicines used by persons living with HIV (PLHIV).
In a statement, the DOH said the unstable supply of ART drugs, as reported by the group Network Plus Philippines, can be attributed to the high demand for the Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD) combination of antiretroviral medication.
In a statement, the DOH said the reported low stocks of ART drugs, as reported by the group Network Plus Philippines, “could be attributed to an unprecedented increase in the use of TLD among PLHIVs prior to the targeted full-scale rollout of the transition from their existing regimens.”
“As the PLHIV community became more aware of the promising superiority of TLD over other regimens, through word of mouth, social media, learning sessions with support groups, and information dissemination by the treatment facilities, there was notable increase in the uptake of TLD across the facilities,” it added.
TLD is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV/AIDS, and is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first line treatment for adults since 2019.
Under the Philippine TLD Transition Plan, the “treatment-naive” PLHIVs as well as those who developed adverse drug reactions in their current regimens, such as efavirenz, are to be prioritized in the transition to TLD from 2020 to 2022.
The Network Plus Philippines is asking the DOH to explain the dwindling and unstable supply of ART drugs in several facilities. It said the DOH should not be remiss in its duty to ensure that all PLHIVs are given equitable access to quality ART drugs.
In response, the DOH said it is taking measures to ensure adequate TLD supply.
It said DOH-procured TLDs are expected to arrive in the country in three tranches — 58,000 bottles by the end of this month, another 243,000 bottles by end of July, and 292,000 bottles by September 2023.
“The Department assures the public that the current and the incoming antiretroviral stocks will be able to cover all patients until April 2024,” it said.
“Additionally, the DOH will facilitate early procurement for FY 2024 to make sure that there will be no gap in the supplies in the facilities,” added the DOH.
Based on the April 2023 data from the DOH, there were 1,003 PLHIVs who are newly-enrolled for the ART.
In total, there are 67,523 PLHIVs undergoing ART nationwide — 65,018 males and 2,505 females.
