“South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced on Monday the launch of a new single-dose combination antiretroviral [ARV] drug that will cost just 89 rand a month ($10) per patient, potentially revolutionizing AIDS treatment in the country,” Salon reports (McDonough, 4/9). “The new pill will be introduced this month to positive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, people co-infected with [tuberculosis (TB)], and to new ARV patients,” Agence France-Presse writes, adding, “Patients already on treatment will be assessed by doctors to start switching later this year” (4/9). “Motsoaledi said the department had revised the guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child transmission, pediatric and adult treatment due to changes in the treatment regime for [fixed-dose combination (FDC)] ARVs,” a press release from the South African government states (4/8). “Health activists hailed the launch of the new fixed-dose combination ARV therapy … but there’s some concern about the state’s ability to deliver it to all who need the drug,” the New Age notes (Mhlana, 4/8).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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